Wallace State sophomore Check Freeman sets up for a return in the Lions’ match vs. Marion Military Institute on Tuesday.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s baseball team has approached conference action and begins pursuit today of defending its Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) North Division crown from last year.
The Lions are in Wadley for a doubleheader against Southern Union, and the series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. at James C. Bailey Stadium.
Wallace State enters ACCC play with a solid 14-3 record. The Lions have won six of their last eight games despite struggling to get on the field at times because of inclement weather.
“You practice all fall and play non-conference games to get you sharp for the conference season. I think our guys are ready for the grind. We have to roll up our sleeves and go to work,” said Wallace State coach Randy Putman, who has led the program to the postseason 26 times.
Wallace State’s pitching staff has set the tone all season, working to a collective 2.73 ERA. Starters Blake Rivera, Tanner Rusk and Garrett Brown have been consistent, and Heath Olive has notched four saves out of the bullpen.
“If we continue to pitch well, I like our chances. Our pitchers have accepted their roles and that’s important. We need a few more guys to step up out of the bullpen because you can never have enough quality pitchers during the conference season,” Putman said.
Easton Kirk has been among the offensive leaders for Wallace State, blasting six homers. Sophomore Kolby Robinson is hitting .348.
Wallace State tennis
Wallace State’s tennis teams hosted Marion Military Institute on Wednesday with the women winning, 7-2. The men fell, 9-0.
Sophomores Emily Wilson, Molly Whitlock, Tempie Ennis and Mary Ann Wolfe each earned singles wins for the Lady Lions.
In doubles action, Wilson and Ennis won 8-5, Emily Graves and Wolfe won 8-1, and Whitlock and Martha Ann Lucas prevailed 8-0.
Wallace State’s women blanked Itawamba (Miss.) Community College, 9-0, in a non-conference match on Tuesday.
Kelsi Wilson, Emily Wilson, Whitlock, Graves, Wolfe and Ennis each picked up singles victories and they swept doubles action as well.
The women continue conference play at Snead State on Friday.
Wallace State’s men fell to Marion Military and Itawamba on consecutive days. Against Itawamba, Cade Pressnell and Andrew Bizilia notched singles wins and Pressnell and Donny Camp earned a doubles victory.
Wallace State’s men collected a conference win over Gadsden State last weekend.
Pressnell, Bizilia and Luke Chigwidden won in singles action for Wallace State, the defending ACCC champion. In doubles, Pressnell and Camp won as did the duo of Bizilia and Check Freeman.
Wallace State’s men travel to Blue Mountain College on Saturday.
Wallace State men’s golf
Wallace State’s men’s golf team placed third this week at the Calhoun Invitational held at Point Mallard.
Freshman Anthony Lumpkin had the best finish for the Lions, carding a 5-over par 149 (71-78) for eighth overall.
Sophomore Luke Wilson and freshman Cody Maddox finished tied for 11th for Wallace State as each carded an 8-over 152. Thomas Gevas was nine-over par (153) for the Lions and Conner Bruce was 12-over par (156).
Central Alabama’s Caleb O’Toole was the individual low medalist with a 3-under 140 (71-69).
Central Alabama won the tournament with a 9-over par 582.
Wallace State finished with a 604 (293-311) collectively.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu.
