VALDOSTA, Ga. – West Alabama baseball split a doubleheader against Valdosta State in the Tiger’s first Gulf South Conference road meeting on Saturday. The Tigers fell to the Blazers 6-5 in 10 innings in game one, but responded with a four run final inning rally to win game two 5-1.

“I thought our guys played very well the whole day,” said UWA head coach Gary Rundles.

“Our intensity was great all day. We put ourselves in position to win the first game, but we just didn’t find a way to finish. I thought our guys showed their true character in game two by not getting down and finding a way to win. I thought our pitching was great all day. Meeks did a fantastic job, as well as Bratton and Ivey.”

West Alabama improves to 12-13 overall; 6-2 in the GSC. Valdosta State picked up its first GSC victory in game one to improve to 1-6 in the conference; 11-11 overall.

Valdosta State pitcher, Josh Mann (1-2) picked up his first win on the mound in game one. Mann gave up only one run and one hit on four strikeouts in the final two innings. Jeremy White (1-1) entered in the 10th inning to defend the Tiger’s 5-4 lead, but gave up two runs and a hit to pick up his first loss of the season.

Barry Meeks (1-2) pitched the entirety of game two to pick up his first win of the season. Meeks allowed only one run, six hits and tallied eight strikeouts. Valdosta State’s Benjamin Weil (2-2) entered in the sixth inning to give up the winning run to pick up his second loss of the season.

Valdosta State catcher, Bryant Hayman recorded two home runs in game one to lead the Blazers at the plate. Hayman’s second home run came in the bottom of the 10th inning to tie the game at 5-5. West Alabama third baseman, Matthew Magee led the Tigers at the plate with two runs, three hits and an RBI in five at-bats.

West Alabama left fielder Adam Chamblee and second baseman Brett Langham led the Tigers at the plate in game two. Chamblee finished 2-3 with one RBI. Langham tallied two runs and finished 1-3 with an RBI. Valdosta State centerfielder Hunter Thompson went 3-3 at the plate. Pinch runner Will

Austin recorded the only Blazer run in game two.

Both teams will meet again tomorrow in the series finale at Billy Grant Field. First pitch is set for noon.