4th-ranked Senators drop doubleheader to Southwest Tennessee

MILLINGTON, TN – No. 4 Walters State fell twice to Southwest Tennessee on Friday, 8-5 in game one and 7-6 in game two. 

With the losses, the Senators fell to 17-5 on the season and 9-3 in TCCAA play.

GAME ONE: Southwest Tennessee 8, No. 4 Walters State 5

In game one, a seven-run fourth inning for Southwest Tennessee was the difference maker. 

Holden Pantier led the way at the plate for Walters State, homering and driving in three runs. Hayden Blair homered and drove in two runs, as well, and Jaxon Walker picked up two hits. 

On the mound, Tim Tyler (6-1) got the start and threw four innings. Tyler allowed seven runs on nine hits and struck out five. Colton Richards pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out two. 

Walters State struck first in the game, scoring two runs in the third when Walker singled and Blair smacked a two-run home run. However, Southwest Tennessee responded with seven runs in the fourth to go up 7-2. 

In the sixth, Walters State got a run back when Pantier smoked a solo home run. But, Southwest Tennessee picked up a run in the bottom of the inning to make it 8-3.

In the seventh, Justin Bell singled with one out and moved to third on a Walker double. Following a popout for the second out, Pantier singled and scored Bell and Walker to make it 8-5. Unfortunately, that was as close as the Senators would come. 

GAME TWO: Southwest Tennessee 7, No. 4 Walters State 6

In game two, the Senators got up early but could not hold the lead.

At the plate, Drew Blalock led the way with three hits while Miles Shore, Bell and Brady Dalton each had two hits. 

On the mound, Major Osbolt  got the start and threw 4.1 innings. Osbolt allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits and struck out three. Lane Sharp (1-2) replaced Osbolt with an out in the fifth and threw the final 1.2 innings. Sharp allowed two runs, zero earned, on one hit and struck out one. 

Walters State went up 1-0 in the second inning when Bell scored on a fielder's choice, and the lead was 2-0 in the top of the fourth when Cox scored on a double play. Pantier was next up in the inning, and he made it 3-0 with an RBI double. Pantier then stole third before sliding in safely at home on a straight steal to make it 4-0. 

However, Southwest Tennessee scored four in the fourth to tie the game. Walters State briefly retook the lead in the top of the fifth when Bell scored on an error, but the Saluqis scored three in the bottom half of the inning to go up 7-5. 

In the seventh, the Senators put runners on second and third with one out when Blair singled and Brady Dalton doubled. Following a flyout for the second out, an error allowed Fenton to reach and Blair to score to make it 7-6. A walk to Pantier loaded the bases, but a strikeout ended the game. 

Up Next:

Walters State is back in action on Wednesday, traveling to take on Cleveland Community College. First pitch is set for 2 pm ET.