Jones, Tigers win conference crown

Former CNMI Little Leaguer Josh Jones tossed 5.2 innings in a start as the University of West Alabama Tigers scored an 8-4 victory over the Delta State University Statesmen to win the Gulf South Conference Baseball Tournament on Tuesday at the Tartt Field in Livingston, Alabama.

Josh Jones pitches for the University of West Alabama Tigers in their title match against the Delta State University Statesmen in the finals of the Gulf South Conference Baseball Tournament last Tuesday at the Tartt Field in Livingston, Alabama.
(Contributed Photo)

The Tigers, who swept all of their four games in the GSC tournament, also won the regular season crown to earn a spot on the NCAA Division II regionals set from May 14 to 17 with the venue still to be determined.

The Conference crown is the second for the Tigers after also clinching the regular season title. It was also UWA’s third overall GSC baseball tournament title and first since 2005.

The Tigers, according to the GSC website, will know what would be their next step during the NCAA Division II Baseball Selection Show set on Sunday, May 10, at 9pm.

The former Saipan Little League standout and many-time CNMI All-Star surrendered four earned runs, but held the Statesmen to two hits before being relieved by winning pitcher Brandon Pennington in the bottom of the sixth.

The lefty pitcher, who was named to the 2015 GSC All-Tournament Team along with three of his teammates, also retired two and walked three.

UWA coach Gary Rundles praised the combined efforts of Jones and Pennington, who gave up three hits but shut out DSU while striking out five with no walks.

“Jones showed what kind of competitor he is. He could pitch in the weekend rotation anywhere in this league, but he accepted his role this year and got us big with midweek wins,” Rundles was quoted as saying on the team’s website..

“Pennington is a high-strung competitor who is going to give you everything he has every time out. He just pounded the zone and challenged them (Statesmen),” added Rundles, who was a bit emotional with the win.

“I don’t know if I have words to explain how I feel right now. I kind of teared up there at the end. I know that I am very excited and couldn’t be more pleased with our group of young men. This is a very good ball club and I am very proud of them.”

Tanner Rainey, who was also a member of the GSC All-Tournament Team, homered thrice and drove in five runs in a 4-for-4 appearance at the plate. His homers came in the second, fourth, and eighth innings and he also had four of UWA’s 12 hits.