31 May 2006

Wallace State Advances in JUCO World Series, One of Two Undefeated Teams in Tournament

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Wallace State (Hanceville) advanced as one of only two undefeated teams in the JUCO World Series Tuesday night with their 12-6 win over Potomac State Community College (W. Va.).

   The Lions will play the only other team still in the winner’s bracket, Walters State (Tenn.) Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

   “We’re in the same situation as we were in last year” facing back-to-back games in the winners bracket, said Wallace State Coach Randy Putman. The teams are different, however, this time its “Alabama versus Tennessee,” instead of New Mexico, which makes the match-up even more exciting, Putman said.

   “Tonight was a big win for us, but we’re taking it one game at a time,” he said.

   Wallace State came out swinging against Potomac. The Lions scored two runs in the first inning off a double by designated hitter Damien Mazzetti to move ahead of Potomac by one. Brandon Lee reached on a fielder's choice bunt and Matt Andrews walked. Mazzetti drove both in.

   The Lions added one more in the second inning to go up 3-1 when Logan Eads scored Chase Oliver, who was on base with a double.

   Potomac put pressure on Wallace State with a three-run inning in the third. Their advantage was brief, however.

   Wallace State tied the game in the fourth with a run by Daine Solomon. Solomon singled to third base and stole second. He advanced to third when Chris Hoffer reached on a passed ball strike out. Chase Oliver’s sacrifice fly scored Solomon.

   Starting pitcher Rodney Wodson pitched four complete innings, gave up four runs, two of them earned, on four hits, walked four and struck out two. Gerard Sokolis came in with the game tied at 4-4 in the fifth inning.

   “Rodney earned the win over Potomac for us last year, so we wanted him on the mound tonight,” said Putman.” He kept Wallace State in the game early.

   The Lions blew it open in the seventh inning, scoring five runs on two hits and two errors. Jake Elmore got things started with a leadoff double to left field. Brandon Lee laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached on an error by the pitcher, which scored Elmore. Matt Andrews drew a walk. Zealous Wheeler reached on a sacrifice bunt, and Andrews and Lee scored on the error. Mazzetti walked and a bunt by Solomon advanced the runners. A double to center field by Chris Hoffer scored both runners.

   “Jake’s double started the big run for us,” said Putman. “And we executed our bunting game to perfection, which put pressure on Potomac.”

   After allowing one to Potomac at the top of the eight, Wallace State put three more runs on the board in the bottom of that inning. Two of those came courtesy of a home run by Damien Mazzetti that also scored Wheeler who was on with a single. Earlier in the inning, Elmore singled to right field, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Lee, stole third and came home on Wheeler’s RBI.

   Potomac scored their final two runs in the ninth inning.

   Sokolis threw the final five innings of the game to earn the Wallace State win. He gave up three runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out three.

   “I think Sokolis was the story of the game,” said Putman. “He came in very good out of the pen, like he has all year.” Of the seven hits he allowed, he picked off three, Putman said.

   For Wallace State, Damien Mazzetti (dh) was 2-for-4 with two runs and four RBI. Jake Elmore (2b) batted 3-for-5 with two runs. Daine Solomon (cf) connected on 2-of-4 with a run. Chris Hoffer (rf) was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Matt Andrews (lf) went 1-for-3 and scored twice. Zealous Wheeler (3b) batted 1-for-4 with two runs and a RBI. Chase Oliver (1b) was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run. Brandon Lee (ss) scored twice.

   Live scores and stats from the JUCO World Series may be found online at www.jucogj.org.

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PHOTOS:

1) Gerard Sokolis looks for the pick off at first base. He caught three in five innings of work.

2) Damien Mazzetti delivers a two-run double in the first inning. He later connected for a two-run home run.

3) Brandon Lee bunted his way to first base. Textbook bunting proved a key factor in the Lions’ win over Potomac.

4) Catcher Logan Eads (#20 - center) celebrates with the team after his at-bat scored Chase Oliver. Joe Irwin (#26) is shown at left.

5) Jake Elmore (#5) congratulates Logan Eads on his at-bat.

6) Starting pitcher Rodney Wodson delivers a pitch.

7) Brandon Lee scores on the Mazzetti double.

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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