RUSSELLVILLE, AR- The University of West Alabama baseball team split a doubleheader with Arkansas Tech (6-2) on Saturday, as the Wonder Boys took game one 8-3 and the Tigers won game two by the score of 9-2.

The Tigers tied game one up at 1-1 in the third inning, but Arkansas Tech added two runs in the fourth inning and four runs in bottom of the fifth inning. Ryan Taylor (2-1) took the loss for the Tigers as he threw 4.2 innings and allowed six earned runs on six hits. Justin Heslep (1-0) picked up the win for the Wonder Boys, pitching all seven innings and allowing three earned runs on nine hits.

A.J. Ray led the Tigers offensively in the first game, going 3-for-4 with a double. Brandon Boles had a double and two RBI for UWA and Scott Needs added two hits, a RBI and a stolen base. Dustin Roberts chipped in with two hits including a double, while Jason Floyes added a single.

Derek Holcomb had two hits and three RBI for Arkansas Tech in game one. Daniel Lunney and Kyle Johnson added two RBI each for the Wonder Boys. Blake Pizan, Brad Gross and Bradley Stewart all had two hits for Arkansas Tech.

In game two, the Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning and never looked back. Ryne Lawson (2-1) picked up the win for the Tigers in game two, while Dennis Jones (2-1) took the loss for the Wonder Boys. Lawson pitched a complete game (seven innings) and allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out four.

Needs and Ray had three hits each in game two for West Alabama. Roberts added two hits and two RBI, while Dustin Carter had two hits with a double and two RBI. Randall Minton contributed two hits with a double and one RBI.

Kevin Coleman hit a solo homer for Arkansas Tech in game two. Jimmy Godfrey had a single and a RBI for the Wonder Boys.

The Tigers (5-4) return to action on Sunday when they face Central Arkansas with the first pitch set for 12:00 p.m. in Russellville, Ark.

RUSSELLVILLE, AR- West Alabama plated 13 runs on 13 hits, however Central Arkansas (3-4) would score 14 runs in the first three innings of play on its way to defeating the Tigers 15-13 on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers chipped away at the Bear lead all afternoon, and after scoring one in the top of the eighth inning, trailed by just two entering the ninth. Zach Barnett would pitch a hitless ninth inning to seal the UCA win.

A.J. Ray closed out a big weekend by going 2-for-6, including a home run, two RBI and three runs scored. Brandon Boles added three hits, a pair of RBI and three stolen bases, while Scott Needs contributed a pair of hits, including a double and one RBI. Dustin Roberts rounded out the top UWA performers with a pair of hits, including a double and two RBI.

Matt Chambless (0-1) took the loss, allowing eight runs, all earned, on five hits in 1.1 innings of work.

Wes Sanford turned in a big game for the Bears, going 3-for-4 with five RBI, while teammate Roger Lenderman added three hits, including a round tripper and five RBI as well. Lake Perry (1-0) picked up the win, going five innings and allowing six runs, four earned, on six hits.

The Tigers move to 5-5 overall and return to action on Wednesday when Auburn-Montgomery comes to Livingston for a 3:00 p.m. game.