Holgate’s homer lifts UWA to win over Selma

LIVINGSTON – Mitch Holgate belted his first home run of the year, a two-run shot over the left field wall, to lift West Alabama to a 3-2-college baseball victory over Selma Wednesday at Tartt Field.

The win improves the Tigers to 8-3. Selma falls to 3-1.

Holgate, a sophomore from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, drove in all three West Alabama runs. His first RBI came on a sacrifice fly in the first inning that scored Jocobby Robinson, who had reached on an error to open the inning.

“That was our worst offensive performance of the year,” UWA head coach Gary Rundles said. “Ten strikeouts is way too many, but obviously the home run by Holgate was big.”

UWA starter Fernando Gonzalez (2-1), the first of seven Tiger pitchers, picked up the pitching win. Tanner Rainey worked a scoreless ninth for his first save. Selma starter Taurus Harvey (1-1) absorbed the loss.

Five different Tigers collected one hit apiece for UWA. In addition to Holgate’s home run, Adam Chamblee doubled down the left field line for the Tigers.

“We have to come out ready to play every time, no matter who the opponent is,” Rundles said. “Our bullpen continues to do a tremendous job for us game after game.”

Although Juan Martinez and Mitch Webb each had a pair of hits for the Bulldogs, six West Alabama relievers combined to allow just one earned run on four hits, striking out six.

West Alabama continues a nine-game homestand when West Georgia comes to Tartt Field for a GSC doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is 2 p.m.

The radio broadcast for this weekend’s game can be heard on ESPN 104.9 locally or www.espn1049.com globally. James Hardy will handle the play-by-play for the Tigers.