CERRO GORDO – The unbeaten West Columbus Vikings were on the low end of the scoreboard until the fifth inning Tuesday, but they still managed to come away with an 8-5 non-conference baseball victory over the visiting East Columbus Gators.

Senior shortstop Ryan McCleney clouted a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to put his team ahead for the first time. McCleney went 3-for-3 at the plate as he also notched a double and a single. Brett Godwin added a two-run double while Daniel Britt and Timothy Brown also doubled as Coach Ricky Young’s Vikings put their season record at 6-0.

Stephen Nealey got the pitching victory in relief of J.D. White. It marked the third straight mound win for Nealey this season. Britt pitched the final inning to record the save. West Columbus scored runs in every inning except the first inning in battling its way from behind.

East Columbus starting pitcher Cameron Spears walloped a first-inning home run and Coach Karl Bracey’s Gators scored three runs in the third inning behind hits by Jonathan Reaves and Caleb Andrews that gave them a 4-1 advantage. Reaves pitched in relief. Andrews had two hits, including a double, for the Gators, whose season record dipped to 2-4.

East Columbus had taken a 16-4 victory over Fairmont Monday night at Fairmont.

West Columbus will travel to play Whiteville on Friday at 5 p.m. East Columbus will have its next game on Oct. 21 when it opens conference play with a home game against Whiteville.

Spears, Reaves (5) and Malpass; White, Nealey (4), Britt (7) and Andrews.