MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of West Alabama baseball team picked up its second Gulf South Conference series win, sweeping Montevallo on Saturday at Kermit A. Johnson Field. UWA (19-8, 4-0 GSC) turned back the Falcons 7-2 in the opening game and then blasted UM (19-12-1, 1-4 GSC) 14-1 in the night cap of the double dip. The Tigers look for the series sweep on Sunday with a 1:00 p.m. first pitch. The game can be heard via the internet by clicking the UWA Baseball logo on www.MyWin98.com.

Kevin Deese and Nick Wheeler led the Red and White at the plate. Deese, a Fosters, Ala.-native, went 4-for-7 at the dish, including two homeruns with three RBI and five runs scored. Wheeler, a product of Hokes Bluff, Ala., went 5-for-9 on the day, including three doubles and a homerun with four RBI and four runs scored.

The Tigers trailed for only an inning in the second game, falling behind the Falcons 1-0 before plating two runs in the top of the second. UWA took a 7-1 lead in the fifth inning, pushing five runs across the board. The Tigers didn’t rest on the lead, adding seven more in the top of the seventh inning. In the inning, Deese connected on his second homer of the day, sending a ball over right field that scored Wheeler. Wheeler capped the seven spot with a double to right center that scored Rob Dahlberg and Jeremy Finney.

Matt Hill (5-2) notched the win on the mound, tossing 6 1/3 innings while allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts. John Ashley threw 2/3 of an inning in relief picking up a punch-out in the effort.

Deese started the scoring for the Tigers in the opening game of the twinbill, blasting his fourth leadoff round-tripper of the season over left field in the second inning. UWA plated three runs in the fourth inning behind a quartet of hits. Following a Wheeler double to left center and Deese single to the same spot, Douglas Frazier drove in the duo with a triple down the right field line. Brian Simone capped the scoring with a base hit to the right side to score Frazier.

The Red and White tallied two more in the fifth inning to take a 6-0 lead after six innings. The first run of the frame came on a Finney single to left center that scored Dallas Rogers, who reached on a double to right center field. Dahlberg followed suit with a single through the right side to score Finney. Wheeler picked up his second hit of the game with a leadoff homerun to left center. UM plated two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the rally fell short.

Mike Schmitt (6-1) picked up the win, hurling seven complete innings on the mound. The senior surrendered six hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Colter Millican pitched 1 2/3 innings on the hill in relief, allowing both Falcon runs on four hits with a walk and strikeout. Brian Burgess slammed the door on UM forcing a Brett Roney to ground to end the game.

Following Sunday’s series conclusion, West Alabama returns Livingston to host Auburn Montgomery on Wednesday, March 25. First pitch against AUM is set for 4:00 p.m. The game can be followed via live stats at athletics.uwa.edu.