CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A late push by the No. 4 University of West Alabama baseball team came up just short on Friday night, as the Tigers dropped an 8-6 decision to (RV) Lee University in the opening game of a pivotal Gulf South Conference series at Larry Carpenter Stadium.
West Alabama (31-10, 20-8 GSC) trailed 8-2 entering the ninth inning before mounting a four-run rally, but Lee (30-13, 19-9 GSC) was able to halt the comeback attempt and secure the win.
The Flames struck first in the second inning, using a three-run home run from Casen Youngblood to take an early 3-0 lead. West Alabama answered in the third when
Hudson Walburn drove in a run with a double down the left field line to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Lee extended its lead with a solo home run from Nate Caraballo in the fourth and added another run in the fifth to make it 5-1. Walburn continued his strong night at the plate in the sixth, launching a solo home run, his sixth of the season to bring the Tigers within three at 5-2.
However, the Flames responded with a decisive three-run sixth inning. Aiden McClary delivered an RBI single, followed by a run-scoring triple from Luke Collier and an RBI double by Isaiah French, stretching the lead to 8-2.
West Alabama refused to go quietly in the ninth. After loading the bases, the Tigers capitalized on control issues from the Lee bullpen.
Diego Bryant brought in a run on a fielder's choice, followed by consecutive RBI walks from
Nick Wilson,
Tre Fulmer, and
Aaron Wallace to cut the deficit to 8-6.
With the tying runs on base, Lee turned to Zach Tierney, who recorded the final out to earn the save and stop the Tigers' rally.
Walburn led the Tigers offensively, going 2-for-5 with a double, home run, and two RBI.
Rashad Robinson added a pair of hits, while West Alabama drew seven walks in the contest.
On the mound,
Baker Green (3-3) took the loss after allowing five runs over 4.1 innings.
Laney Keeton provided a bright spot out of the bullpen, tossing two scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Lee starter Evan Bloomer improved to 7-0 on the season, working seven innings and allowing two runs, while Tierney secured his first save.
Despite the loss, the Tigers showed resilience with their late-inning surge, setting the stage for a doubleheader Saturday, beginning at 12 PM CT as both teams continue to battle for the top spot in the GSC standings.
