Fernando Gonzalez struck out nine while not allowing an earned run and two hits through seven innings to lead West Alabama to a 6-1 college baseball victory over Georgia Southwestern Sunday at Tartt Field, extending UWA’s win streak to six games.

Sunday’s win completed a three-game sweep for the Tigers over the Hurricanes. UWA is 6-1, while Georgia Southwestern dropped to 2-4.

Gonzalez (1-0) faced 22 batters, throwing just 68 pitches. Logan Colvin and Matt Betts combined to hold GSW scoreless over the final three innings. ‘Canes starter Matthew Suggs (0-2) took the loss for Georgia Southern.

“Fernando became a pitcher today instead of just a thrower and that’s important for him,” UWA head coach Gary Rundles said. “I thought Logan Colvin did an outstanding job in the seventh and eighth innings.”

Georgia Southwestern struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Neal Chambless singled in Les Cromer, who had drawn a one-out walk.

West Alabama tied the score in the third inning. Daniel Bolte was hit by a Suggs’ pitch to start the inning and later scored when Trey Williamon coaxed a bases-loaded walk.

Doubles by Tyler Richburg and Adam Chamblee highlighted a two-run fifth for the Tigers, who put the game away by scoring three runs on five singles in the eighth inning. Mitch Holgate, Richburg and Williamon drove in the runs.

“We hit the ball hard, but after the first two innings I thought we may be in trouble because we couldn’t figure that lefty (Suggs) out,” Rundles said. “Still, we kept putting pressure on them and finally got the hits we needed and took advantage of their mistakes. Teams that can do that generally win games.”

Holgate, Williamon, Chamblee and Tanner Rainey each chipped in two hits in an 11-hit UWA attack. Rainey extended his hitting streak to six games with singles in the seventh and eighth innings.

West Alabama pitchers allowed Georgia Southwestern just three hits on Sunday and only 11 in the three-game series. Conversely, the Tigers scored 18 runs on 37 hits in the three wins over GSW. After seven games, UWA is batting .324 while limiting opponents to a meager .211 batting average.

The Tigers are scheduled to play on the road for the first time this season on Tuesday at Monetvallo (5-2). First pitch is set for 2 p.m.