Wallace State third baseman Noah Fondren throws to first base to record an out against Mineral Area.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s baseball team had a perfect opening weekend, sweeping Motlow State in a doubleheader and knocking off Mineral Area (Mo.) in a single game.
The Lions won 11-6 and 3-2 against Motlow State in a pair of seven-inning games. In the opener, Wallace State exploded for a six-run second inning and added two in the third for an early 8-0 cushion.
Freshman Brady Sherrill finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs in his first collegiate game for the Lions. Sophomore Dalton Cobb had a pair of hits and scored two runs, while Kolby Robinson, Austin Triplett, Dalton Sinquefield, Palmer Ford and Devin Brown had an RBI apiece.
Austin Parker picked up the win in relief for Wallace State, tossing 2 2/3 innings. Tanner Rusk started for the Lions, and Peyton Hayes made his debut in the seventh.
In the second game, Jackson Tavel hurled four no-hit innings out the bullpen, striking out six batters, and Easton Kirk finished 3-for-3, including driving in the eventual game-winner.
Brown and Haskins each added an RBI for the Lions. Blake Rivera started for Wallace State and struck out seven in three innings.
In a 6-3 win over Mineral Area, Sinquefield cranked Wallace State’s first homer of the season – a two-run shot. Kirk added a pair of RBIs and Robinson and Sherrill added an RBI apiece.
Wallace Henry was the winner in relief, tossing three no-hit innings. Heath Olive earned the save with a scoreless ninth. Garrett Brown started and went 3 2/3 innings, and Brady Netherton pitched 1 2/3 innings out of the pen.
Wallace State baseball hosts Columbia State on Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m.
Wallace State tennis
Wallace State’s men tennis team, the defending ACCC champion, opened the 2018 season over the weekend, prevailing 7-2 over Huntingdon College in Montgomery.
Earning singles wins for Wallace State in the opener were sophomores Cade Pressnell (6-4, 6-0), Donny Camp (6-2, 7-6), and Check Freeman (7-5, 6-1) and freshmen Andrew Bizilia (7-5, 6-4) and Luke Chigwidden 6-1, 6-4).
Nick Hester and Bizilia (8-5) and Camp and Freeman (8-6) won in doubles action for the Lions.
The Wallace State men have high expectations this season, especially after winning a conference championship in 2017 – the first year back after the program’s rebirth.
“We have a lot of experience back and some strong freshmen. I think overall we should be stronger from top to bottom than we were last year, but so are other teams in our conference,” said Wallace State men’s tennis coach Tony Franklin. “Our guys worked hard last season and bought into what we wanted them to do. We gained a lot of confidence and peaked at the right time. I hope we can do it again.”
Rounding out the roster this season are sophomore Toddric Stallworth and freshmen Nick Hester, Austin Leavins and Evan Johnson.
Wallace State’s women open the season on Friday with a home match vs. Meridian Community College.
The women also return a handful of sophomores this season, including Kelsi Wilson, Tempie Ennis, Emily Graves, Emily Wilson and Molly Whitlock. Freshmen on the roster are Mary Ann Wolfe and Martha Ann Lucas.
“I’m looking for the women to take that extra step this season. Players like Tempie Ennis and Kelsi Wilson worked hard over the summer to improve their games,” Franklin said. “I’m excited about their chances.”
Wallace State basketball
Wallace State’s basketball teams host Gadsden State on Monday night, marking their first home conference games since Jan. 21.
The Lady Lions (17-6, 4-1 ACCC) have won five consecutive games after earning a 75-52 road victory over Lawson State on Feb. 1.
Sydney Powell’s 17 points paced four Wallace State players in double figures. Jada Golden, a freshman from Fairview, finished with 14 points off the bench and Tykeah Rogers and Joy Sadler added 11 points apiece.
Karlie Hudson and Gabby Hill each pitched in with seven points for the Lady Lions.
Wallace State led 32-21 at the half and extended the cushion to 51-39 after three quarters.
Meanwhile, the Wallace State men also begin the second half of their conference on Monday night. The Lions (13-10, 1-6 ACCC) came up just short at Lawson State on Feb. 1, falling 73-72.
Jalen Hodges scored a season-high 20 points on 9 of 10 shooting for the Lions and had five steals, Demarkus Lampley poured in 16 points off the bench and Mike Johnson added 13 points. Jonathan Andre finished with nine points.
Lawson State led 33-30 at the break.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu.
