LIVINGSTON, Ala. -- The ninth-ranked University of West Alabama baseball team claimed its fifth Gulf South Conference series in impressive fashion combining for 29 runs in the Saturday doubleheader over West Georgia. UWA (35-12, 13-2) took game one 11-3 and then blasted its way to an 18-0 win over the Wolves in the night cap.

The Tigers, who claimed the Gulf South Conference East Division title, hit four homeruns on the day, including a pair of grand slams in the second game of the series by Nick Wheeler and Sam McCormack. Rob Dahlberg and Wheeler combined for the round trippers in the opening game. UWA will play Ouachita Baptist in the GSC Tournament on Saturday, May 2 in Millington, Tenn. at 4:15 p.m.

In the first game, the two teams fought to a 2-2 tie through the first five and half innings, but the Tigers took control in the sixth inning posting three runs on the scoreboard. Bryan Mason snapped the tie with a RBI double down the left field line that scored Douglas Frazier. After Jody Morgan scored on a Dallas Rogers’ sacrifice fly to center, Jeremy Finney drove in the final run of the inning with a base hit to left that scored Mason. UWG plated a lone run in the seventh, but the Tigers answered with a six spot in the bottom of the eighth to cruise to the 11-3 win. Kevin Deese preceded Wheeler’s first homer of the day, connecting on a two RBI single to left field to score Finney and Rogers.

Mike Schmitt (9-2) pitched seven innings in the win, allowing three runs on five hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Brian Burgess logged his 10^th save of the year with the final two innings on the bump, surrendering one hit with two strikeouts.

The Tigers scored in bunches in the second game of the twinbill, posting all 18 runs in four innings. The Red and White started things off with four runs in its first trip to the dish. UWA didn’t stop there adding six more in the third inning with four coming off of Wheeler’s second homer of the day. McCormack joined the long ball parade in the fifth inning, plating four of the Tigers five runs with his first homer of the season. UWA finished the contest out with three runs in the sixth inning.

Matt Hill (9-2) pitched a three-hit, six innings on the mound in the win, fanning eight Wolves. Carrick Tuck took the hill in the final inning, striking out three and allowing one walk.

West Alabama and West Georgia close out the series on Sunday, Apr. 26 with a scheduled 1:00 p.m. start. The game can be heard over the internet by clicking the UWA Baseball logo at www.MyWin98.com. UWA will honor its five seniors prior to the start of the series finale.