Photo: Wallace State shortstop Johnny Sklopan loads up for a throw to first base as Shelton State’s Jordan Lowe (11) attempts to break up a double play.
OZARK, ALA. – Wallace State’s baseball team is following a familiar script from last season at the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC)/Region 22 tournament in Ozark.
The Lions rallied for a four-run eighth inning Sunday afternoon against top-seeded Shelton State and held on for a 12-8 victory over their rival, eliminating the Bucs from the postseason in a see-saw affair at Eagle Stadium.
“It was a typical Wallace State-Shelton State rivalry game. Both teams were really competing and getting after each other,” said Wallace State coach Randy Putman, who has led Wallace State to the postseason in 25 of 27 seasons. “I’m proud of our guys for battling all game and finding a way to win. We’ve got to do it for a few more days. We’ve got to stay hot at the plate and have our pitchers give us some quality innings.”
Wallace State (34-24) has won games in consecutive days in Ozark after dropping its tournament opener to Faulkner State on Friday. The Lions won five straight games in the elimination bracket last season, advancing to the ACCC title game for the second time in four years.
Wallace State marched on to Monday’s quarterfinal round after a bizarre eighth inning. After Shelton State tied the game at 7-all in the seventh, Wallace State scored four consecutive two-out runs without the benefit of hit.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Lance Cleveland was hit on the elbow by Shelton State, seizing an 8-7 edge for the Lions. Ryan Goodman followed with an RBI walk, Maison Goodwin was plunked next, driving in a run, and Brad Norman drew a walk to force in the fourth run in a row.
Wallace State sent nine batters to the plate in the eighth and forced Shelton State to use four pitchers.
The Lions added an insurance run in the ninth on a Stephen Dobbs’ RBI single, scoring Darien Prewett.
Sophomore ace Garrett Suchey (7-2) was the winning pitcher in relief for Wallace State. The Mortimer Jordan product recorded the final two outs in the seventh, striking out four batters the rest of the way.
Will Eiland, an Auburn grad, started for Wallace State and worked into the seventh inning. He allowed two earned runs and recorded five strikeouts.
Each Wallace State hitter had at least one single.
Cole Collins finished 3 for 5 with a solo homer, a double and three runs scored for Wallace State. Dobbs was 4 for 5 with four singles and a pair of RBIs, Turner Vincent reached base four times and scored four runs, Cleveland collected three RBIs, Goodwin was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and Goodman drew pair of walks sandwiched around a single.
Wallace State led 3-0 before Shelton State came to the plate. The Lions led 2-0 after a Cleveland two-run single, and Goodwin added an RBI single two batters later.
Shelton State snatched the lead in the fourth, scoring four runs for a 4-3 lead.
Collins quickly tied it up for Wallace State in the top of the fifth, smacking a solo homer to right field. Dobbs added a sacrifice fly in the inning for a 5-4 lead.
Wallace State scored a run apiece in the sixth and seventh innings for a 7-4 advantage before Shelton State scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Wallace State plays the Marion Military-Chattahoochee Valley loser at 12:30 p.m. on Monday.
The Lions advanced to Sunday’s action after defeating L.B. Wallace, 11-5, on Saturday. Wallace State lost its tournament opener to Faulkner State, 8-6, after the Sun Chiefs rallied for a three-run ninth inning.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit http://athletics.wallacestate.edu/.
