No. 2 Walters State scores late to defeat Volunteer State

MORRISTOWN, TN – No. 2 Walters State was in desperate need of a spark on Friday afternoon in their opening game of the weekend against Volunteer State.

Trailing 1-0 with two outs in the sixth and recording just one hit in the game, Declan Wiesner came to the plate and worked the count full before drawing a walk. 

That drawn out at bat was all the momentum the Senators needed.

Walters State went on to score two runs in the bottom of sixth and seven in the bottom of the seventh, closing the game out early with a 9-1 victory.

With the win, Walters State improved to 33-3 on the season and 11-1 in TCCAA play. The win also bumped their win streak to 13 games. 

"It's huge because if we lose that game right there, they've got all the momentum," Walters State pitcher Geo Rivera said. "Now we have this win, so we've got some momentum and will be ready to attack them and go from there." 

Following Wiesner in the bottom of the sixth was Caleb McNeely who singled to put the go-ahead run on first. That brought up Colby Backus who worked the count before popping a ball up behind third base that dropped, allowing both runners to score.

In the seventh, back-to-back doubles from Noah Gent and Corbin Shaw made it 3-1 before Andrew Ott singled in Shaw for the fourth run. Backus then singled in two runs before Block singled in a run and two errors scored two more to end the game in seven innings. 

McNeely led the way at the plate with two hits while Backus had two RBIs. 

On the mound, Wesley Scott got the start and was effective, going five innings and allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight. 

Rivera replaced Scott in the sixth and improved to 5-0 on the season with two scoreless innings. Rivera struck out four. 

"It feels really nice," Rivera said. "Coming in with us down, I knew I had to come in and keep them on their toes so we could get back into the game and win it." 

Rivera, who started the season as a starter on the mound, has transitioned into a long reliever role, a role that he is having great success with. In his 15 innings of relief this season, Rivera has not allowed a run.

"I take it day-by-day," Rivera said. "I'll do whatever I can for the team and know I'll be successful either way. I'm just ready to do whatever role I need to for the team." 

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Saturday for a doubleheader with Vol State. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. 

"We just need to wake up and attack from the beginning," Rivera said. "We just need to fight earlier so we're not having to climb out of holes." 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics