Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, far right, presents coach Randy Putman with a plaque recognizing his recent accomplishment. Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview, looks on.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s 13th-ranked baseball team captured its fourth consecutive conference series win over the weekend, taking three of four games from rival Shelton State.
The Lions (33-7, 13-3 Alabama Community College Conference) swept the Bucs in Tuscaloosa last Thursday, winning 2-1 and 14-11, and split the final two games on Saturday at James C. Bailey Stadium.
Before Saturday’s doubleheader, Wallace State baseball coach Randy Putman was recognized for achieving 1,000 career victories with the Lions in a pregame ceremony. He reached the milestone against Calhoun on March 26.
“If you look at the number of young men and all of the games played here under coach Putman, there have been tens of thousands of opportunities to positively influence young men and their future lives as professionals, as husbands, as fathers and as positive community members. Coach Putman has influenced all of them and done it exceptionally well,” said Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics prior to the games.
Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview, was among those in attendance during the pregame ceremony, reading a proclamation to be presented in Montgomery that recognizes Putman’s achievement. Shedd also threw out Saturday’s first pitch.
Putman thanked his former players and coaches, his family and Wallace State administrators for allowing him to be a part of the program for parts of three decades.
Wallace State opened Saturday’s twinbill with a 2-1 victory as pitchers Tanner Rusk, Peyton Hayes and Braxton Light combined to throw a one-hitter.
Rusk started and went four innings, allowing a run on one hit with four strikeouts.
Hayes pitched four scoreless innings of relief, striking out six, and Light picked up his eighth save with a perfect ninth inning.
Wallace State scored single runs in the fourth and sixth innings.
Justin Henle hit his first homer, a solo shot, among his two hits for Wallace State, and Maison Goodwin also had an RBI.
Kolby Robinson had a multi-hit game, Billy Reed doubled and Cole Collins and Austin Triplett each had a single.
Wallace State dropped Saturday’s second game, 14-1. Reed had an RBI double among two hits in the loss, Jonathan Smith singled and scored, Dalton Cobb had a double and Triplett added a single.
In Tuscaloosa last Thursday, Wallace State opened the four-game set by sweeping a doubleheader, prevailing 14-11 and 2-1.
Palmer Ford finished 3-for-5 with a homer, double and four RBIs in the slugfest, and Heath Haskins cranked a grand slam, finishing with four RBIs.
Dalton Sinquefield had a triple among two hits and scored two runs, Goodwin went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, Kolby Robinson had a pair of hits and two RBIs, Austin Triplett added an RBI single and scored three runs, Reed had an RBI single, and Henle, Kevin Bryant and Dalton Cobb each had a single.
In the 2-1 victory, Heath Olive (2-0) was the winning pitcher after scattering a run on one hit in four innings. He struck out five.
Blake Schilleci and Light combined for three scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Ford added another homer for the Lions, his team-leading eighth of the season. Reed finished 2-for-2 with a pair of stolen bases, Sinquefield had an RBI single and a stolen base, and Triplett and Collins each added a single.
Wallace State travels to Columbia State on Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader.
Wallace State men’s tennis
Wallace State’s men’s tennis team notched an 8-1 conference victory over Gadsden State in their match over the weekend.
Cade Pressnell, Clint Watson, Donny Camp, Toddric Stallworth, Hunter Manley and Damon Calvert each earned singles victories for the Lions.
Pressnell and Calvert and Watson and Camp teamed up for doubles victories.
Both Wallace State tennis teams travel to Faulkner State on Tuesday for a conference match.
Wallace State softball
The Lions (29-14, 14-2 ACCC) split a doubleheader at Snead State over the weekend, winning 10-8 and losing 6-3.
In the 10-8 win, Taylor Stalnaker finished 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and two stolen bases, Taylor Beshears went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, and Karra Elam had two hits, including a double, and scored two runs.
Brittany Ledbetter finished with a double and three RBIs, Amber Hammonds had a single and scored two runs and Charlee West and Tanner Robertson each had a single.
Ledbetter (15-7) was the winning pitcher in relief. She went 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out six.
In the 6-3 loss, Beshears and West each hit a solo homer. Hammonds finished 2-for-2 with a double, RBI and a stolen base.
Wallace State travels to Shelton State for a doubleheader on Tuesday.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu.
