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COLUMBUS – West Alabama scored five runs in the final two innings to steal the season opener from third-ranked Columbus State University 10-6 Friday evening. The game took place at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field in Columbus.
The Cougars held a 6-5 lead heading into the eighth until the Tigers posted a four spot on the board to retake the lead. With one out in the inning, two singles and a walk loaded the bases before
Sheridan Coy struck out the first hitter he faced in the game. Coy was one strike away from escaping the jam, but a walk forced in the tying run.
Back-to-back infield singles and a passed ball pushed across three more runs to make it a 9-6 West Alabama advantage. The Tigers added a solo homer in the ninth to cap off the scoring.
"Whenever you allow 10 runs in a game you are most likely going to lose," said head coach
Greg Appleton. "I was happy that we showed fight early on though to get back in it. Anytime you get down early guys can quit on the game, and that didn't happen tonight which is a positive sign."
It was an inauspicious start for Columbus State as West Alabama put three runs on the scoreboard in the first.
Kolton Ingram walked and hit the first two batters he faced before Taylor Clemmons smacked a homer over the left field fence.
Clemmons and the Tigers were right back at it in the second with the righty driving home two more home with a sharp single up the middle to quickly make it 5-0.
Columbus State got to Cole Waites in the fourth and fifth innings, but did its most damage in the sixth to take the lead. Down 5-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth,
Kendall Ford legged out an infield single before swiping second.
Grant Berry immediately followed singling him in to make it a one-run game.
With Berry on first,
Robert Brooks gave CSU the 6-5 lead with one-swing of the bat launching a home run over the left field wall.
West Alabama would then complete the come from behind effort with five runs on six hits over the final two frames.
Ingram (0-1) took the loss allowing five runs on seven hits in four innings of work. The senior did punch out seven batters.
Jarrod Little pitched a perfect ninth for the Cougars.
Ford was 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI while Brooks was 2-for-2 with the two-run homer.
Clemmons was 3-for-5 with six RBIs for the Tigers while Trevor Smeeton posted a 3-for-3 performance in the win. Nathan Nicolosi (1-0) earned the win for UWA throwing 2.1 scoreless innings.
The two teams will wrap up the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader. First pitch is at 1 p.m. at Burger King Stadium.
