The Weevils came out on top in the opening game of the 2022 baseball season, as the Arkansas-Monticello baseball program toppled West Alabama, 5-1, behind a brilliant combination of pitching and timely hitting.
The victory pushes Arkansas-Monticello to 1-0 on the season and gives the Weevils a sense of accomplishment for the bus ride home.
The pitching staff set the tone for UAM, as starting pitcher Mason Philley logged 3.0 innings and allowed one run on two hits. The left-hander stuck out a batter and walked only one. The run was the only blemish on his outing.
Derek Potts (1-0) would enter the game in the bottom of the fourth, tallying 4.0 innings pitched with zero runs allowed on one hit. The right-hander also struck out a batter and had zero walks.
Spencer Johnston would close out the last two innings of the game for the Weevils, entering in the bottom of the eighth. The right-hander would put up two strike outs and one walk while allowing one hit.
At the plate, Jordan Johnson opened the season with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate, driving in one RBI in the third inning and singled again in the fifth. He scored once, plated an RBI and had a HBP.
Clay Lockett also went 2-for-4 on the day with one walk and a run scored in the eighth. He scored once and had a BB.
Chase Cripps had a hit on the day, batting in two RBIs in the eighth inning.
For West Alabama, Peyton Warren (0-1) took the loss for the Tigers. He struck out one, walked two and two hits allowed. At the plate, Jake Nemith drove in one run.
Scoring Recap
Top First
A lead off walk to Cade Thompson from UWA starting pitcher Thomas Boothe lead to a stolen base as Thompson would take second. UAM was one batter into the game and already had a man in scoring position. Jordan Johnson would reach first after an error by Tiger catcher Jonathan Thibodeau, and Thompson would advance to third, eventually plating the first run of the game for the Weevils on a passed ball.
Arkansas-Monticello 1, West Alabama 0
Bottom First
Colden Peeples would be walked by UAM starting pitcher Mason Philley, proceeding to steal second and advancing to third on a wild pitch. An RBI single up the middle from Jake Nemith got West Alabama on the scoreboard as Peeples would score.
Arkansas-Monticello 1, West Alabama 1
Top Third
Cade Thompson would make it on base after an error from the pitcher, eventually scoring another run for the Weevils. Jordan Johnson would collect the RBI on a single down the third baseline. Johnson would advance to third on a ground out from Nick Fakouri, eventually scoring as Grant Shepherd collects the RBI on a two out single.
Arkansas-Monticello 3, West Alabama 1
Top Eighth
Clay Lockett and David Reyna would open up the inning with back-to-back singles. Lockett led off with a single up the middle, followed by a single to left field by David Reyna. Chase Cripps singled to left-center with two outs in the inning, scoring both Reyna and Lockett, and giving the Weevils their final runs of the game.
Arkansas-Monticello 5, West Alabama 1
Up Next
Arkansas-Monticello will play its second game of the 2022 season in their home opener at Weevil Field at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8 against West Alabama.
