Tigers finish marathon schedule with loss

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
March 12, 2003
LIVINGSTON, Ala. The University of West Alabama baseball team wrapped up its marathon four-day schedule on Tuesday.
The Tigers (13-12) fell 4-2 to the No. 2-ranked Kennesaw State University Owls (16-4) in their sixth game in four days at Tartt Field.
UWA started its spartan scheduled picking up back-to-back double-header wins over the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers last Saturday and Sunday, and the Tigers fell 8-4 to the No. 9-ranked Abilene Christian University last Monday.
The Tigers, who begin conference play on Saturday when they host the University of West Georgia, may have gone 4-2 over the four-day span, but the team's loses could have been more important than the wins.
UWA knew it was in for two battles against the nationally ranked KSU and ACU squads, but the Tigers put up a good fight against both teams.
The Tigers never had to look up for motivation against the Owls.
UWA struck early against the visiting KSU.
Tigers third baseman Freddie Vazquez continued his torrid offensive pace hitting a one-out double in the bottom of the second inning.
Vazquez tallied three home runs and three RBIs over the first three days of the Tigers' four-game stretch.
UWA left fielder Brandon McGarity drove Vazquez home hitting a two-out double down the left-field line for a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers padded their lead in the bottom of the third inning.
UWA catcher Corey Hayden powered a one-strike offering from KSU relief pitcher Sammy Reed over the left-field wall to lead off the Tigers' half of the third.
The sophomore catcher's blast just barely past the right side of the fair pole to give UWA a 2-0 lead.
But things would go sour for the Tigers in the top of the fourth inning.
UWA second baseman Brooks Tinsley muffed what looked to be a double-play ground ball, with one out, to allow KSU to put runners on second and first base in the top of the fourth.
After Tigers starter Chris Dimasi loaded the bases by hitting the Owls' fourth batter of the inning with a pitch, the No. 2-ranked team in the nation made UWA pay.
KSU center fielder Clint Watters singled to right field to cut UWA's lead in half.
Owls second baseman Jeremy Brotherton tied the game at two, following a fielder's choice out at the plate, hitting a single to left field.
KSU pushed the go-ahead run across the plate with its next at bat on a single to right field from third baseman Travis Evans for a 3-2 lead.
Dimasi (1-3) took the loss for the Tigers scattering 10 hits over six innings of work, while allowing four runs, one earned, with one strike out.
The Tigers senior pitcher's only slip up on the mound came in the fifth inning.
Owls catcher Kevin Gergel smashed a laser shot over the right-field wall against Dimasi, with two outs in the top of the fifth, to produce the final margin of victory.
Reed (1-0) earned the win for the Owls allowing one run on five hits in three innings of work, after entering the game in the third inning.
UWA center fielder A.J. Ray and designated hitter Rafael Farrell each picked up two hits in the loss.
The Tigers continue their season against West Georgia with a double-header at 4 p.m. Saturday at home.