Carrollton, GA - If you traveled to Florence, Al. and were looking for a pitcher's duel, you left a little disappointed. An absolute slugfest broke out at Mike Lane Field on Sunday afternoon as the North Alabama Lions out slugged the West Georgia Wolves to a 13-12 final tally.
West Georgia (10-16, 1-2) jumped on top first with a run in the second inning, only to hold the lead for a half inning as the Lions answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame.
After fighting to a 4-3 score, the Wolves took the lead in the fifth inning. Centerfielder Brett Wright reached base with a single and came around to score on a RBI single by senior Brian York. York would go on to steal second and cross home thanks to a sharp single by shortstop Justin Smith.
The Wolves tacked on another four runs in the sixth highlighted by a two-run homer by Wright.
Entering the seventh, UWG led by a 9-5 score and added to their lead with three runs in the inning. Senior Ben Lillis scored the first run of the inning by way of a single by catcher David Buchanan. Buchanan came around to score the second run for the Wolves, driven in by Wright.
The final run of the inning and ballgame for UWG happened when senior Michael Hornsby touched home after a single by third baseman Brandon Mainor.
With a 12-5 lead, West Georgia was looking at winning the opening series in their conference schedule. But North Alabama (12-11, 2-1) had another plan for Sunday.
The Lions scored two in the seventh inning to slice into the West Georgia lead.
Up by five runs, head coach Skip Fite turned to southpaw Keith Manley. Sunday was not Manley's day as he gave up a three-run homerun after recording just one out. After the UNA homerun, Manley was quickly replaced by freshman Randall Wright.
Wright did not have much better luck, as the first batter he faced deposited a ball beyond the fence to make it a one-run ballgame. The following UNA hitter reached on an error and after hitting the next batter, Wright was pulled from the game in favor of junior John Lees.
Lees would record two outs to end the inning but not before giving up an RBI double to tie the game at 12-12.
West Georgia went three up, three down in the ninth, leaving the score tied entering the bottom of the inning.
Lees walked the first North Alabama batter, left fielder Ross Parker. Parker would reach second after a sacrifice bunt. With one out, North Alabama got the big hit it was looking for, as UNA centerfielder Chase Porch singled home Parker to win the game, 13-12, and the series.
Wright had a day swinging the bat that he will not soon forget. The UWG freshman was a perfect five for five at the plate with three runs batted in to go along with his first collegiate homerun.
The Wolves will travel to Marietta on Tuesday for a mid-week match up at 3:00 p.m. with the Southern Polytechnic Hornets. West Georgia will play its next home game on Wednesday with a doubleheader against Mars Hill, set to begin at 2:00 p.m.