10th-ranked Senators drop opening game to Cleveland State

CLEVELAND, TN – No. 10 Walters State struggled to get the bats going on Friday afternoon, falling 2-0 to Cleveland State.

With the loss, Walters State fell to 39-11 on the season and 18-4 in TCCAA play.

Karson Bonaparte (9-2) got the start on the mound and threw seven innings. Bonaparte gave up two runs, one earned, on eight hits and struck out eight. Luke Ferguson replaced Bonaparte in the eighth and pitched the final inning, allowing one hit. 

Jack Vogele, Andrew Grande, Jarrett Martin and Walker Morgan each had a hit for the Senators. Deniel Ortiz walked twice. 

The Senators had a chance to get on the board in the first inning, as Ortiz walked and Vogele singled with one out. However, back-to-back flyouts left them stranded. 

Walters State's best chance came in the fourth inning, when Grande singled and Martin was hit-by-pitch with two outs. Morgan was next up and singled, but Grande was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. 

Cleveland State scored one in the first and one in the sixth to grab the win.

Up Next:

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

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics