Baseball Tigers extend win streak to five

LIVINGSTON – A trio of West Alabama pitchers combined to shut out Georgia Southwestern and Jocobby Robinson rapped out three hits as UWA ran its win streak to five games with a 6-0 college baseball victory over the Hurricanes Saturday at Tartt Field.

The victory improves West Alabama to 5-1, while Georgia Southwestern dipped to 2-3. The Tigers and ‘Canes finish the three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m. Right-hander Fernando Gonzales (0-0) is expected be on the mound for UWA.

“It was not a great game, but it was a well-played game,” UWA head coach Gary Rundles said. “I am pleased that we are not striking out a lot. When you put the ball in play you give yourself a chance to win.”

Holding on to a 2-0 lead, West Alabama send nine men to the plate and scored four runs on three hits in the bottom of the seventh inning to put the game away. The big blow was a two-run double by designated hitter Tanner Rainey. Eddie Kieffer and Daniel Bolte drove in the other two runs in the frame.

Robinson singled in the third inning and later scored on a wild pitch. Shortstop Joel Murphy singled in catcher Jack Cockrum, who had singled to lead off the fourth, for the Tigers remaining two runs.

“The key to our early-season success is how the bottom of the batting order is getting on base,” Rundles said. “The top of the lineup then gets to hit with runners in scoring position.”

Robinson, who plays centerfield and hits in the nine hole for UWA, leads the Tigers with a .529 batting average. The senior from Meridian, Miss., has reached base 13 times in 21 plate appearances and has stolen two bases.

UWA starting pitcher Zack Parks (2-0) scattered five hits and did not allow a run over seven innings to earn the win. He walked one and struck out two. Caleb Derouen and Rainey maintained the shutout by working scoreless eight and ninth innings, respectively. Derouen and Rainey both struck out two without allowing a hit.

“Zach (Parks) kept them off balance all day,” Rundles said. “Derouen and Rainey then did what we asked hem to do in the eighth and ninth, so I was pleased with how our pitchers did today.”

GSW first baseman Stephen Eldridge led the Hurricane offensive attack with a pair of singles.