Wallace State Softball, Baseball take down Southern Union

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Softball (24-4) racked up two more conference wins last week over Southern Union State Community College, winning the first game 8-0 in five innings and following with a 2-0 win in game two.

"I was really pleased with our performance," said head coach Carson Owens. "We had two great pitching outings from Alivia Wilken and Emily Simon. Anytime we get a quality start, it gives us a chance to win. I'm just really pleased with our energy and effort."

WSCC (8) SUSCC (0)

In game one of the doubleheader, the Lions struck first in the bottom of the second inning on back-to-back singles from Brooke Nash and McKinnon Howard to make it a 1-0 score headed to the third inning. That score would stand until the bottom of the fourth, when Lila Kate Wheeler would make it 2-0 with an RBI infield single. Another single by Laura Leigh Wheeler would make it 3-0, before Jessie Taylor delivered the big blow with a three-run homerun to center field. The Lions would add two more in the bottom of the fifth to secure the run rule victory, 8-0.

Alivia Wilken got the win in the circle for the Lions, allowing zero runs on two hits with five strikeouts. Her record improves to 6-2.

WSCC (2) SUSCC (0)

The second game of the double header would be a little tighter than the first. It was a pitcher's duel until the bottom of the third inning when the Lions struck first with an RBI single by Gracie Ashley. The Lions would add another run on a bloop single by Rylie Moody, that fell just out of the reach of the second baseman, to make the score 2-0.

That 2-0 score would hold to be final as both pitchers held each team scoreless for the remainder of the game. Emily Simon got the win, improving her to a team best record at 9-0. She finished the game with zero runs allowed, with only two hits given up in seven innings pitched.

The Lions are ranked No. 1 in their division and ranked fifth nationally. They will travel to Southern Union today for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

Baseball defeats Southern Union

Wallace State Baseball (17-11) improved their record by two more wins this past weekend, beating Southern Union 7-2 and 8-0, respectively. The wins improve the Lions to 10-2 in conference play, and a first place standing in the ACCC North Division,

WSCC (7) SUSCC (2)

In game one, JT Blackwood got the start for the Lions on the mound. He would keep the Bison off the scoreboard in the top half of the first inning, and the Lions responded with a single run in the bottom. WSCC would tack on two more in the second inning, and four more in the fourth to create a 7-0 hole for the Bison. SUSCC wouldn't go away quietly though, as they responded with two late runs in the sixth inning, to keep the score 7-2. That score would prove to be final, as Blackwood sealed the deal in the seventh.

Blackwood would finish the game allowing two runs (zero earned) on three hits, while adding six strikeouts. The offensive attach was led by Andrew Hunt, Mikel Pryor, and Nash Ripken who each belted a homerun. Jacob Fernandez and Dominic Decker would also contribute with RBI's to help the Lions.

WSCC (9) LSCC (3)

The second game of the doubleheader would once again the see the Lions put up some big offensive numbers. WSCC put up one run in the second inning, three runs in the fourth, and 4 runs in the sixth to take a commanding 8-0 lead through six innings.

The Bison had no answer offensively to Dylan Rhadans. The Lions starter would pitch all seven innings, allowing zero runs on three hits. Rhadans also added eight strikeouts to improve his record to 4-1 on the season.

Nash Ripken would follow up his two RBI performance in game one, by adding four RBI and another homerun in game two. Andrew Hunt, Jacob Fernandez, and Dan Stewart would also contribute with hits to help lead the Lions.

The Lions return to action Thursday, March 30, hosting Northwest-Shoals in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. in Hanceville.