1 June 2006

Wallace State Falls to Walters in Winner’s Bracket Game of JUCO World Series, Lions to Face Yavapai Thursday

Grand Junction, Colo.—The Wallace State (Hanceville) Lions came up two runs short in a hard fought battle against Walters State (Tenn.).

   Walters State advances as the only undefeated team in the JUCO World Series with their 10-8 win. They face San Jacinto Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

   Wallace State (41-18, 2-1 JUCO) will have a rematch against Yavapai in the 3 p.m. elimination game. The Lions defeated the Rough Riders 6-5 in their first game in the Series.

   The Lions had chances in the game against Walters. They had 14 hits on Wednesday but eight runners were left on base.

   Even after giving up four home runs in a row, they never gave up. A heroic effort brought them from a five run deficit to even as late as the eighth inning.

   “I am as proud this team tonight as I’ve been all week,” said Wallace State coach Randy Putman. “They didn’t get down when we got behind. They overcame some setbacks and fought their way back.”

   Some of those setbacks were injuries. Catcher Logan Eads left the game early due to a strained knee.

   Pitcher Jamie Manning, who has been battling an injury and unable to practice since the state tournament, came in the game in relief and did a great job holding off Walters as long as he could. “Jamie gave us a chance,” said Putman.

   When he could go no longer, the star of Tuesday’s game Gerard Sokolis stepped into finish the game.

   Wallace State started off as the team has each game this week, scoring early. In the second inning, Zealous Wheeler and Damien Mazzetti were on base with singles up the middle when Daine Solomon drove a ball through the left side to score Wheeler. Chase Oliver singled to center field and Mazzetti scored on an error. Logan Eads reached on a fielder’s choice that advanced Oliver to third; Solomon was thrown out at home.

   Brandon Lee and Zealous Wheeler reached on singles in the third.

   Starting pitcher Ben Erichsen retired six of the first seven batters he faced before giving up a home run in the third inning and three back-to-back home runs in the fourth. He denied each of the other batters he faced during those innings. In total, he gave up four runs on five hits, struck out four and walked none.

   Wallace State scored one run in the fifth inning. Elmore singled and scored on a ground out by Zealous Wheeler after bunts by Matt Andrews and Brandon Lee resulted in hits that advanced the runners.

   Cole Thornton came in to pitch for Erichsen in the fifth inning and went a third of the inning. He gave up three runs on three hits and walked one. Manning entered the game in relief and finished the inning.

   Chris Hoffer doubled in the sixth but was left on base. He would find satisfaction in the eighth. One Walters State run scored in the seventh making the score 8-3.

   Wallace State evened it up at 8-8 in the eighth inning thanks to home runs by Wheeler and Hoffer. Wheeler homered to right center. Then Mazzetti walked, Solomon singled to left, and Hoffer delivered a three-run home run. Also in the inning, Graham Wright, pinch hitting for the injured Eads, walked; Derek Holland came in to run for him. Elmore singled with a bunt and, when he advanced to third on an error by the second baseman, Holland scored. Dane Vansant came into catch for Eads in the eighth.

   Walters scored two runs in the eighth, which Wallace State was unable to answer. Gerard Sokolis came in to close for Manning with one out in the inning. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out one. Manning allowed three runs on four hits, walked three and struck out three.

   Zealous Wheeler led the team at 3-for-5 at bat with a run and a RBI. Chris Hoffer went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run. Also batting 2-for-5 were Jake Elmore, Brandon Lee and Daine Solomon. Elmore also scored. Solomon had a RBI and scored. Brandon Lee went 2-for-5. Damien Mazzetti, Chase Oliver and Matt Andrews had one hit each. Mazzetti scored twice. Derek Holland also scored.

   For live scores and stats during Thursday’s game, visit www.jucogj.org.

###

  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