Sutton collects three hits, pitching excels in 10-2 win over Cleveland Community College

MORRISTOWN, TN – Just a few weeks ago, Walters State had to overcome a five-run deficit to defeat Cleveland Community College in the final inning. 

On Tuesday, that was not the case.

Thanks to three hits from Logen Sutton and a combined two-hitter from the Walters State pitching staff, the Senators cruised to a 10-2 win over the Yetis.

With the win, Walters State improved to 18-8 overall. 

"It's huge to get this win, especially going into a big conference series this weekend," Sutton said. "It's a really good statement game to get us ready to go this weekend."

Sutton led the way at the plate, pounding out two doubles, a single and three RBI. 

"I was really just trying to stick to my approach and hit the fastball the other way," Sutton said. "If he hung it, I was trying to turn on it and pull it."

Sutton did it in the field, as well. In the fourth, Cleveland hit a popup in shallow center. With the centerfielder, shortstop and Sutton at second all going after the ball, Sutton made an over the shoulder basket catch. 

"That was kind of like a once in a lifetime play," Sutton said. "I've never made a play like that before. I would say it was a little bit of luck. I kind of just swiped at it and caught it." 

Deniel Ortiz, Brantley Bamberg and Carson Cabbage all hit home runs, as well. Cabbage had two RBI. 

On the mound, Gage Peterson (2-1) got the start and the win. Peterson pitched three innings, allowing no runs on no hits and striking out two. Ethan Walker replaced Peterson and threw two scoreless innings, before Tyler Welch pitched the sixth and gave up two unearned runs on one hit. 

Drew Horn was next in line, striking out the side in the seventh. Jonny Stevens and Aiden Robertson closed it out in the eighth and ninth with hitless innings. 

"They were just attacking the zone from the first pitch and getting ahead early," Sutton said of the pitchers. "They controlled the game very well. It was pretty easy to play defense behind them today." 

Walters State started from the jump, with two runs in the first inning as Sutton doubled home Ortiz and Nate Conner. Conner made it 3-0 in the bottom of the second with a sacrifice fly, and Sutton made it 4-0 in the third with an RBI double. 

In the fourth, Walters State got two more runs on solo home runs by Bamberg and Ortiz that made it 6-0. The scoring continued for the Senators in the fifth, as Zion Taylor doubled home a run and a wild pitch scored Cade Hitson to make it 8-0.

Cleveland CC got on the board with two runs in the sixth, but Walters State closed the scoring out in the seventh with a two-run homer from Cabbage. 

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Friday for a home conference series against Chattanooga State. The nine-inning game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics