Top-ranked Senators sweep doubleheader from Roane State

MORRISTOWN, TN – No.1 Walters State had the pitching and hitting working on Thursday afternoon against Roane State, sweeping a doubleheader. The Senators took game one with a 10-0 win in five innings and a game two win with an 11-1 win in five innings. 

With the sweep, the Senators improved to 35-5 on the season and 14-3 in TCCAA play. Walters State is a perfect 20-0 at home this season. 

At the plate for the Senators in both games, Corbin Shaw led the way. Shaw had a homer in three RBIs in game one and two doubles and three RBIs in game two. Shaw is now hitting .398 for the season with eight home runs and 53 RBIs. 

"I was just having confidence in my team and in myself," Shaw said. "Everything worked out smoothly today. It was good to get these wins today. We've been playing well for the past month, so we just have to keep it going." 

GAME ONE: No.1 Walters State 10, Roane State 0 (5 Innings) 

In game one, three pitchers combined for a five-inning shutout for Walters State.

Landon Slemp (5-1) got the start and the win with two innings of work. Slemp allowed two hits and struck out five. He struck out the side in the first inning. 

The outing was a confidence booster for Slemp as he looks to get back on the right track on the mound. 

"I've had a couple rough outings, so I just tried to get back to myself and throw strikes," Slemp said. "I was down a little bit (after Sunday), but today definitely helps my confidence. I saw the ball, threw it well and felt good on the mound. Confidence is definitely getting there." 

Following Slemp on the mound was Jackson Hull, who threw two innings. Hull allowed one hit and struck out one. Ty Cobb replaced Hull in the fifth inning and threw a 1-2-3 inning. 

At the plate, Cole McCallum, Shaw and Deniel Ortiz all homered while Kurits Reid tripled. Ortiz added a double and single to his day, while McCallum and Shaw each drove in three runs. 

Following a 1-2-3 top of the first from Roane State, the Senators got on the board quickly. Caleb Marmo and Cooper Torres singled to lead things off before McCallum drove them both in, and himself, with a three-run homer. It was his ninth of the season.

The Senators went on to add one more run in the first as Shaw walked, moved to third on an Ortiz single and scored on a double steal to make it 4-0.

In the third, the Senators added another run as Reid tripled in Ortiz. Then in the fourth, Shaw got in on the fun with a three-run homer to make it 8-0. Ortiz made it back-to-back homers with a solo shot that made it 9-0.

In the fifth, the Senators loaded the bases and scored their 10th and final run as Angus Pence was hit by a pitch. 

GAME TWO: No.1 Walters State 11, Roane State 1 (5 Innings) 

In game two, the Senators pitching kept it going with just two hits allowed as Walters State completed the doubleheader sweep.

Blake Cooper (4-1) got the start for the Senators in the game and threw three innings. Cooper allowed one run on two hits while striking out three.

In the fourth, Landon Crumbley replaced Cooper and threw the final two innings. Crumbley didn't allow a hit.

For the Senators pitching staff, the doubleheader result was much-needed as all five pitchers that entered the game were effective. 

"We had a lot of people that got to throw today and see action," Slemp said. "I think everyone looked good and did our part. Sunday, we got hit around, but today I think will help our confidence a lot." 

At the plate, Shaw led the way again with two doubles and three RBIs. Reid hit the lone homer of the game for Walters State and drove in three runs. 

It was Roane State who got on the board first in the game with an RBI groundout in the top of the first. However, the Senators responded in the bottom half of the inning with four runs. Those runs came on a Shaw two-RBI double, a Jarrett Martin RBI single and Reid RBI single.

In the third, Reid made it 6-1 with a two-run home run. Then in the fourth, McCallum singled in a run to make it 7-1.

Needing four runs to put the game away early, Walters State did just that in the fifth. Torres led things off with an RBI single before Shaw doubled in a run. Ortiz knocked in the final two runs with a two-RBI single. 

Up Next:

Weather permitting, Walters State will be back in action on Friday for a nine-inning game against Roane State. First pitch is currently scheduled for 12 p.m.

"We just need to keep playing smooth and play for the team," Shaw said. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics