Livingston, Ala. — The Western Carolina University baseball team lost to West Alabama 19-6 Tuesday night in a game characterized by offensive fireworks and momentum shifts.
The Crusaders started strong, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Jayden Mark and Taylor Walters each delivered RBI singles, and an unearned run pushed the lead to 3-0.
Carey continued the offensive push in the second inning when DeeJay Booth hit a two-run homer to left field. A bases-loaded walk extended the lead to 6-0, but West Alabama escaped further damage by turning a double play to end the inning.
West Alabama gradually chipped away at the deficit. A three-run third inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Aaron Wallace, cut the lead to 6-3. The Tigers added a run in the fourth and then took the lead with a four-run fifth inning, making it 7-6.
The Crusaders responded in the sixth, with Booth being hit by a pitch, stealing two bases, and scoring on a bunt-and-error sequence to tie the game at 7-7. UWA answered with a run in the bottom half, then pulled ahead in the seventh with a walk and a sacrifice fly to go up 9-7.
West Alabama pulled away in the eighth, scoring seven runs on four hits. WCU mounted a late rally in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs, but a fielder’s choice ended the game.
Western Carolina is scheduled to host Faulkner University on March 13 for a three-game Southern States Athletic Conference series, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. at Milton Wheeler Field.
