LIVINGSTON, Ala. – After dropping a tough road series to the Flames, the #4 West Alabama baseball team returns home looking to bounce back as they host Spring Hill College on Tuesday, April 21st at 4 p.m. at Tartt Field.
The midweek matchup marks the second meeting between the two programs this season and serves as West Alabama's final midweek contest before closing out the regular season.
The Tigers (32-11, 21-9 GSC) enter the week holding a narrow one-game lead atop the Gulf South Conference standings and will look to regain momentum after suffering just their 11th loss of the season. One of those losses came earlier this year against Spring Hill, as the Badgers handed UWA a 6-4 defeat back on February 24th—only the Tigers' second loss at the time.
Offensively, West Alabama continues to be one of the most consistent lineups in the region, hitting .294 as a team with 406 hits and 257 RBIs.
Nick Wilson leads the charge with a .338 average and 37 RBIs, while
Rashad Robinson has been electric at the plate, hitting .313 with a team-high .587 slugging percentage, nine home runs, and 17 stolen bases.
Hudson Walburn adds another steady bat, hitting .308 with 38 RBIs, while
Wayne Wilkerson has made the most of his opportunities with a .391 average and 1.028 OPS.
On the mound, the Tigers boast a strong pitching staff with a 3.54 ERA and 291 strikeouts across 356 innings.
Blake Westry (7-1, 2.43 ERA) and
Colin Woodham (5-1, 2.64 ERA) have anchored the rotation, while
Tyler Pierce has been dominant out of the bullpen, holding a 2.00 ERA with six saves and just eight hits allowed in 18 innings.
Luke Clanahan is the probable starter for the midweek, entering with a 2-0 record and 15 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.
Spring Hill (32-14, 26-4 SIAC) comes into the contest riding high as the top team in the SIAC standings and will soon become a familiar conference opponent, as the Badgers are set to join the Gulf South Conference this fall. Tuesday's matchup provides an early glimpse of a future conference rivalry.
The Badgers bring a powerful offense into Livingston, hitting .305 as a team with 62 home runs and 376 RBIs. Jatnier Torres leads the lineup with a .373 average and nine home runs, while Jaylen Jones (.360, 12 HR, 42 RBI) and Jordan Black (.306, 11 HR, 48 RBI) provide significant power threats. John Webb adds speed and versatility, leading the team with 27 stolen bases.
On the pitching side, Spring Hill carries a 5.20 team ERA, led by Garrett Lott (8-1, 2.80 ERA) and Wyatt Brown (8-0, 2.90 ERA). Donovan Monsees, who started in the first meeting between the two teams, could factor into the game again, while Dylan Peck is also listed as a probable starter.
Historically, West Alabama holds a 19-14 edge in the all-time series, though the two teams have split the last 10 meetings, including the Badgers' win earlier this season. The Tigers have found success at Tartt Field in recent years, but the evenly matched nature of the series adds another layer of intrigue heading into Tuesday.
With this being the final midweek contest of the season, West Alabama will look to build momentum before turning its full attention to the final GSC series against Alabama-Huntsville. That weekend series will also feature Senior Day on Saturday, making Tuesday's matchup a key tune-up opportunity as postseason play approaches.
First pitch is set for 4 p.m. as the Tigers aim to defend their home field and send a message to a future conference foe.
