No. 15 Senators open TCCAA play with first series win, split Sunday doubleheader with Chattanooga State

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — No. 15 Walters State took their opening TCCAA series on Sunday afternoon, downing Chattanooga State in a deciding game three, 9-1. The Senators fell in game one of the doubleheader 9-8.

With the split, Walters State improves to 14-7 on the season and 2-1 in TCCAA play.

Ben Joyce (3-1) got the start on the mound for the Senators in game two and was dominant. Joyce pitched 6.2 innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits and struck out nine. Jared Culp got the final out of the game.

Offensively, the Senators were just as good as Joyce was on the mound. Walters State scored the first nine runs of the game. Jerry Hammons started the scoring off, singling in a run in the first. Hammons had two hits and two RBIs in the contest.

Matthew Ellis and Braydon Runion each had home runs in game two, with Ellis knocking one out in game one as well. Runion's was his third of the year. Caleb McNeely knocked in two runs along with Hammons, Ellis and Runion.

The Senators struggled on the mound in game one. Dillon Phillips (2-1) got the start for Walters State, but lasted just one inning, giving up five runs on six hits. Matt Dailey replaced Phillips, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing four runs on six hits. Caleb Pearson got the final two outs.

Things started well for the Senators as Hammons got the scoring going with a solo home run in the top of the first. Hammons was 3-for-3 in the game to lead WSCC.

Along with Hammons, McNeely and Runion each had two hits. Bryce Hodge and Seth Gardner each had two RBIs.

NEXT UP

Walters State cracks the seal on Ken Campbell field for 2020 with a midweek match up with King University Junior Varsity. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.