WSCC Athletics: Baseball and softball off to strong ACCC starts; tennis and men’s golf updates

HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State’s baseball and softball teams are off to impressive starts in Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) play.
Wallace State baseball finished off a four-game sweep of Snead State over the weekend, combining to score 47 runs in the series.
The Lions (22-4, 7-1 ACCC) slugged 11 home runs in the four-game set, including seven in a 22-10 victory in Saturday’s opener.
During the 22-run barrage, Dalton Cobb and Brady Sherrill each cranked two homers for Wallace State and Easton Kirk, Kevin Bryant and Austin Triplett each added a home run.
Sherrill finished 3-for-3 with two homers, seven RBIs and four runs scored in the game and finished with 11 RBIs in the series.
“It was like we were playing at Coors Field on Saturday. The wind was blowing straight out and you never felt like you had enough runs,” said Wallace State coach Randy Putman.
Wallace State added three more homers in Saturday’s second game from the bats of Cobb, Triplett and Dalton Sinquefield. The Lions won the game, 7-2.
Cobb, a sophomore from Alexandria, finished the series with seven hits, including three home runs, seven RBIs, and nine runs scored.
Sinquefield also accounted for seven hits, including the homer, and six RBIs. The sophomore from Smiths Station scored six runs combined.
Kirk finished with five hits in the series, including a homer, triple and double for Wallace State. He added four RBIs and scored four runs.
Kirk and Sherrill, both freshmen, are each hitting above .400 for Wallace State.
“Both of those guys are solid hitters. They have a good plan when they go to the plate and for the most part have a great knowledge of the strike zone,” Putman said. “They both know what they can and can’t do and have hit well since the first game.”
Sophomore Kolby Robinson collected six hits and three RBIs during the series and Palmer Ford added five hits, including three doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored for Wallace State. Devin Brown added five hits and scored four runs.
Wallace State won the opening games of the series at home on March 15, prevailing 11-1 and 7-3.
Sophomores Conner Daniel and Heath Haskins were the heroes in the home finale. Trailing 3-2 in the seventh, Haskins hit a solo shot to tie the game and Daniel later ended the game with a walk-off grand slam.
Garrett Brown was the winning pitcher in the series opener with six effective innings, and Heath Olive earned the win in relief in Game 2.
“It was a great series for us, and you definitely want to get off to a good start in conference play. We know we have our hands full with Calhoun later this week,” Putman said.
Wallace State travels to Calhoun on Thursday and completes the series at home on Saturday.
Wallace State softball moves to 6-0 in conference play
Wallace State’s softball team swept Central Alabama on Saturday to remain undefeated in early ACCC action.
The Lions (21-10, 6-0 ACCC) also swept Calhoun at home on March 8 and have won eight consecutive games entering Tuesday’s doubleheader at home vs. Bevill State.
Wallace State, the three-time defending ACCC champion, won 11-4 and 7-6 on Saturday.
“It’s been cool to watch our freshmen grow up over the last couple of weeks, and we certainly still have plenty of room to grow. With 15 freshmen and 16 new faces, it’s neat to watch them turn a corner after experiencing disappointments,” said second-year coach A.J. Daugherty. “We’ve played musical chairs at times in the lineup, and that’s a credit to the depth we have. When someone is having a rough day, another player is there to pick them up. Some people are getting their chance and not turning it loose and that’s great.”
Megan Hill clubbed a pair of homers and finished with four RBIs in Saturday’s opener. The freshman from Lawrence County is hitting .354 this season with four homers and 19 RBIs.
Sidney Edwards also homered in first game and finished with a pair of RBIs, Keeli Bobbitt went 3-for-3 with an RBI, Sydney McKissick went 2-for-3 with a run scored and Caroline Burns added an RBI single. Alysia Anderson and Charlee West each added a single.
Meagan Schwieterman was the winning pitcher. She allowed four runs over seven innings, striking out seven.
In the second game, Tanner Robertson provided the offensive boost, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs.
McKissick added a double and an RBI and West and Morgan Weatherwax also finished with an RBI. Anderson, Edwards and Burns each had a single and scored.
Lauren Keplinger was the winning pitcher for Wallace State.
Against Calhoun, Wallace State walked off in the opener on a Hill game-winning RBI double. She finished with a pair of RBIs as the Lions prevailed 5-4.
Burns, Anderson and Hannah Ingram added an RBI apiece and Bobbitt contributed with a triple. Schwieterman earned the win on the mound.
In an 8-0 victory in the second game, West blasted a three-run home run and Edwards added a two-run shot.
Burns and Hill each finished with a double, RBI and a stolen base. Anderson added an RBI on suicide squeeze.
Keplinger tossed a one-hit shutout, striking out seven Calhoun batters.
Wallace State tennis sweeps Blue Mountain College
Both Wallace State tennis teams earned wins at Blue Mountain College in Mississippi over the weekend.
The men’s tennis team defeated Blue Mountain, 7-2, and the women registered a 5-4 victory.
Earning singles wins for Wallace State’s men were Nick Hester (6-4, 6-1), Andrew Bizilia (6-3, 6-4), Check Freeman (6-0, 6-2), Austin Leavins (6-3, 6-2) and Evan Johnson (6-4, 6-3).
Picking up wins in doubles were Luke Chigwidden and Hester for Wallace State and Bizilia and Freeman.
For the Lady Lions, Tempie Ennis (6-0, 6-0), Molly Whitlock (2-6, 6-3, 7-6) and Emily Wilson (6-1, 6-3) won in singles action.
In doubles, Kelsi Wilson and Ennis prevailed as did Whitlock and Mary Ann Lucas.
The home tennis matches with Shorter University on Tuesday have been postponed. Wallace State will travel to Meridian CC on Friday.
 Wallace State men’s golf
Wallace State’s men’s golf team finished fourth out of 16 teams at the Ron Marshall Spring Fling in Scottsboro over the weekend.
Freshman Anthony Lumpkin (73-72-79) and sophomore Luke Wilson (74-76-74) had the best finish for Wallace State with each carding an 8-over par 224.
Brandon Lacasse and Cody Maddox each finished with a 10-over 226 for the Lions. Conner Bruce rounded out the field for Wallace State.
Wallace State travels to Foley on March 25.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu.

Wallace State freshman Garrett Brown delivers a pitch to the plate in the Lions series against Snead State.
Wallace State freshman Garrett Brown delivers a pitch to the plate in the Lions series against Snead State.

 
Wallace State’s Kevin Bryant prepares for a pitch against Snead State.
Wallace State’s Kevin Bryant prepares for a pitch against Snead State.

 
Wallace State’s Brady Sherrill reacts after ending the first game of the series.
Wallace State’s Brady Sherrill reacts after ending the first game of the series.

 
Third baseman Tanner Robertson throws to first to record an out against Calhoun.
Third baseman Tanner Robertson throws to first to record an out against Calhoun.

 
Wallace State’s Charlee West greets coach A.J. Daugherty after hitting a three-run home run.
Wallace State’s Charlee West greets coach A.J. Daugherty after hitting a three-run home run.

 
Wallace State’s Lauren Keplinger delivers a pitch against Calhoun.
Wallace State’s Lauren Keplinger delivers a pitch against Calhoun.

 
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______________________________
Russell Moore
Wallace State Community College
Staff Writer, Communications and Marketing
Speech Adjunct Instructor
 
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