MILLINGTON, Tenn. – After two days of rain held up the start of the 2009 Gulf South Conference Baseball Tournament, the fifth-ranked University of West Alabama baseball team jumped on the USA Stadium field in a big way posting 10 runs in a 10-5 win over Ouachita Baptist.

UWA (37-12) plated the first three runs of the game on a three-run, Kevin Deese homerun to right field. Two consecutive walks setup the three-run inning, as Rob Dahlberg drew a free pass and Nick Wheeler followed by being intentionally walked by OBU starter Chase Baran. Deese’s dinger tied the school mark for homeruns in a single-season with 16. The record was set by Sean Starratt in 1993.

The long ball struck again for the Red and White in the fourth inning, as Brian Simone led-off with a solo homer over the scoreboard in left field to setup a two-run frame for the Tigers. Dahlberg singled to center field to plate the final run of the inning, scoring Bryan Mason from second base.

Tiger starter Mike Schmitt (10-2) tossed seven complete innings in the win, surrendering just one run on seven hits. The two-time GSC First Team selection recorded six strikeouts and allowed no walks in the contest. J. B. Black and Josh Varner saw action in relief, closing out the final three innings on the mound.

UWA posted another three-spot in the sixth inning; it’s second of the game, to push the lead out to 8-0. Dahlberg picked up his second RBI of the game, driving in Sam McCormack on a fielder’s choice and advancing to second on an error by Luke Hardcastle. Mason also scored on the play as a result of the error. Dahlberg later scored to close out the inning advancing to third base on a wild pitch and reaching home on a throwing error by Tigers catcher Derek Dibbens.

OBU recorded its first run of the game on a homer by Drew Wurzelbacher to right field. The Red and White responded with a two-run, seventh inning, as Mason doubled down the leftfield line to score McCormack and Brian Simone. The Purple and Gold attempted a rally in the final two innings, scoring four runs in the eighth, but couldn’t overcome the deficit.

West Alabama returns to action on Tuesday, May 5, as the Tigers face the winner of Valdosta State and Southern Arkansas, the final game of the GSC Tournament opening day. First pitch is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m. at USA Stadium. The game can be heard on WZNJ 106.5-FM and at athletics.uwa.edu.