LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The No. 6 University of West Alabama baseball team showed resilience in a big way on Friday, sweeping a Gulf South Conference doubleheader over Trevecca Nazarene with a pair of comeback victories, 5-4 and 2-1, at Tartt Field.
With the wins, the Tigers improve to 28-7 overall and continue to build momentum in a tight GSC race.
Game One: UWA 5 - TNU 4
West Alabama erased a three-run deficit and walked it off in the ninth to take game one, 5-4.
The Tigers struck first in the opening inning as Rashad Robinson launched a solo home run to give UWA a 1-0 lead. Trevecca Nazarene answered and eventually surged ahead with a three-run fifth inning, taking a 4-1 advantage into the late innings.
UWA began its comeback in the seventh, capitalizing on timely hitting. Hudson Walburn delivered a clutch two-RBI double to cut the deficit to one, before Aaron Wallace came home on a wild pitch to even the score at 4-4.
After shutting down Trevecca in the top of the ninth, the Tigers completed the comeback in the bottom half. Robinson led off with a single and moved into scoring position before Nick Wilson delivered the game-winning RBI single, scoring Robinson to seal the 5-4 victory.
Robinson led the way offensively, going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Wilson added three hits and the walk-off RBI. Walburn finished with two RBIs in the contest.
On the mound, Tyler Pierce earned the win in relief, improving to 4-0 after tossing a scoreless ninth inning. Beau Bryant also provided two shutout innings out of the bullpen to keep the Tigers within striking distance.
Game Two: UWA 2 - TNU 1
The nightcap saw another tightly contested battle, with West Alabama using a fifth-inning rally to secure a 2-1 win.
Trevecca Nazarene plated the first run of the game in the third on a sacrifice fly, but the Tigers responded in the fifth. After Robinson reached and used his speed to get into scoring position, Walburn tied the game with an RBI single. Moments later, Wilson delivered again with an RBI single to give UWA a 2-1 lead.
That would be all the Tigers needed, as the pitching staff took over from there.
Colin Woodham turned in a strong start, allowing just one run on four hits over 6.1 innings to earn the win and improve to 5-0 on the season. Pierce closed the door once again, recording the final two outs to pick up his fourth save.
Across the doubleheader, Robinson continued his standout season by consistently getting on base and creating scoring opportunities, while Walburn and Wilson provided the clutch hits in both games.
The Tigers' pitching staff also delivered under pressure, combining to allow just one run in the final 10 innings of the day.
West Alabama will look to complete the series sweep against Trevecca Nazarene in the finale on Saturday, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. at Tartt Field.
