Lions Split Saturday Doubleheader with Shelton State, Fall in Series 3-1

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State salvaged the finale of a four-game series Saturday, defeating Shelton State 8-3 in the opening game before falling 9-1 in the nightcap. The Lions drop the series 3-1 after dropping both Thursday road games, and stand at 18-13 overall and 7-5 in ACCC play.

GAME 1: Wallace State 8, Shelton State 3

The Lions put together their most complete performance of the series in the finale, getting timely hitting, a full seven innings from Jacob James on the mound, and zero errors in the field to close out a decisive 8-3 victory.

Aiden Boileau got Wallace State started with a bang — launching a home run to left field in the bottom of the second to put the Lions on the board first. The Lions added two more runs in the third inning, aided by a Shelton State error and a Clint Seymore fielder's choice, before Tucker Rickman provided the knockout blow with a solo shot to right field in the fourth inning to push the lead to five.

Wallace State continued to pile on with three additional runs in the fifth, effectively ending any Shelton State comeback chances and chasing Harrison from the mound after four and one-third innings.

James was steady throughout, working all seven innings while allowing six hits and three runs — all earned — striking out four and walking one on 96 pitches. It was a gutsy, efficient complete-game effort that gave the Wallace State bullpen a much-needed rest after a taxing week.

Seymore and Boileau anchored the offense, each collecting two hits and two RBI. Boileau led the team with five total bases, while Rickman added four on the strength of his home run. Baylen Tuten and Carson Burdette each contributed a hit, and Wallace State finished without an error, a sharp contrast to Shelton State's three miscues.

GAME 2: Shelton State 9, Wallace State 1

The nightcap was a difficult afternoon. Baylen Tuten started on the mound and worked five innings, but Shelton State erupted for seven runs in the sixth to blow the game open. Wallace State managed just three hits — doubles from Boileau and Israel Navarro standing out — and scored its lone run in the third. Matthew Lyons provided two clean innings of relief, but the damage was already done. The Lions finish the series 1-3 and will look to regroup heading into the next week of conference play.

The Lions sit at 18-13 overall and 7-5 in conference.