26 April 2006

Wallace State Lions Begin Northwest Shoals Battle for First Place

HANCEVILLE, AL-- The Wallace State Lions baseball team returns home today (Thursday) to host Northwest Shoals at 6 p.m. in the first of a three-game series against the No. 1 ranked team.

   The Lions split with Northwest Shoals at Shoals on Tuesday with scores of 11-5 and 5-7. They will vie for the top spot this weekend when they welcome the Patriots back to James C. Bailey Stadium for a double header on Saturday.

   Wallace State secured the No. 2 spot with two wins in a best-of-three series against Calhoun last weekend, finishing with a 9-0 win in the nine inning match-up on Sunday.

   Jamie Manning was the winning pitcher in the Lions’ last home game. Manning gave up three hits in six innings, walked two, struck out four and allowed one run against Calhoun. Cole Thornton secured the victory pitching three innings in relief.

   At bat for the Lions, Gerard Sokolis and Chase Oliver were equally impressive, each delivering two-run home runs and doubles in four times at the plate. Matt Andrews went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs. Jake Elmore was 3-for-4 with a triple and 3RBI. Brandon Lee connected for a RBI single. Damien Mazetti also singled. Zealous Wheeler and Logan Eads scored runs.

   Also on tap today at Wallace State, the No. 1 ranked Lady Lions softball team (41-17) hosts Snead State for a 2 p.m. doubleheader. The Lady Lions final match-up before heading to the state tournament will be at home on Saturday against Calhoun.

   For Wallace State athletics schedules and updated scores and stats, visit www.wallacestate.edu/athletics or www.acccsports.org.

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  Kristen Holmes
  Director, Communications and Marketing
  Wallace State Community College
  P.O. Box 2000
  Hanceville, AL 35077
  256/352-8118
  E-mail: Kristen.Holmes@WallaceState.edu