NEWBERRY, S.C. – West Alabama fell to Newberry 7-6 in the 12th inning on Sunday. Matt Gaine hit a single to centerfield, sending the winning run to the plate to sweep the Tigers in the four game series.

“I thought today we played much better,” said UWA head coach Gary Rundles.

“We gave ourselves chances to win the game, but it comes down to making those plays to win the game. You have to tip your hat to them for taking advantage of mistakes we made.”

The win gives Newberry a 4-0 start to its season, while West Alabama returns home 0-4.

Newberry’s pitcher Cole Cromer was credited with his fourth win, pitching only the final inning with one strikeout. Brett Ivey drops his second game giving up three hits and a run.

The veteran first baseman DJ Turo led the Tigers at the plate with four hits and one run in five at-bats. Newberry’s left fielder Alex Kirby led the Wolves with two runs on two hits.

Freshman Chris Kilpatrick doubled to left field with the bases loaded giving UWA its first lead in the top of the sixth at 3-1.

Newberry battled back to trail 6-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Wolves loaded bases with two outs. Newly entered pitcher Matt Chapman walked one run and a wild pitch brought in the tying run to take the game into extra innings at 6-6.

Both teams remained in a stalemate until the 12th inning. In the bottom of the inning Newberry’s Matt Gaine singled to center field to send Albert Baur home for the game winning run.

“It hurts to lose,” Rundles said.

“It doesn’t matter if you lose one or you lose four. We have to look at the things we did well and continue to do those things to get better. We found out this weekend who can do what in certain situations and we will build on that.”

West Alabama will now prepare to take on Georgia Southweastern on the road Feb. 8-10 in Americus, Ga. Newberry will take on Coker in its first road trip of the season on Feb. 5.