MORRISTOWN, TN – No. 1 Walters State needed a strong start from Jake Knapp on the mound Monday afternoon in game two against Chattanooga State, and Knapp, as he has all season, provided.
The sophomore from Greensboro, NC tossed six innings of one run ball while striking out 10 as the Senators recovered from a 15-8 game one loss to take game two 8-1.
With the split, Walters State moved to 21-3 on the season and 4-1 in TCCAA play.
"I just got ahead with my fastball today, and the confidence is really there," Knapp said. "After the first game today, I knew I had to go out there and get us going early. It was good, and the guys behind me have been awesome this year."
A start like Monday's has become the norm for Knapp this season as he moved to 7-0 with the win. Through his seven appearances, six of them starts, Knapp has allowed two earned runs in 31.1 innings.
The biggest improvement for Knapp this season has been his ability to punch out opponents at the plate. Last season, Knapp had 65 strikeouts in 56 innings of work. This season, Knapp already has 46.
"I think getting ahead in counts has been the biggest part of my game this year," Knapp said. "Over the offseason, me and coach Robinson worked on picking up a slider and scrapping a curveball, and that has really worked for me this year. My catchers have been awesome too; Kory Klingenbeck was great today."
Game One: Chattanooga State 15, Walters State 8
In game one, the Senators built up a 7-0 lead through the first three innings but couldn't sustain it in the latter innings.
Kohl Drake got the start on the mound and pitched just three innings, allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out two. Landon Slemp replaced Drake in the fourth inning and got out of the Tigers rally, allowing just one hit.
After Slemp, Wesley Scott came out of the bullpen and threw one inning, allowing eight runs, six earned, on six hits. Joey Mitchell pitched the final two innings, allowing two runs on five hits.
At the plate, Nick Block led the way with three hits and an RBI.
Block has started conference play strong for the Senators with nine hits through five games. He's also shined on the field, throwing out a runner at the plate in the second inning on Monday.
"I'm just working my hands more and staying calmer (at the plate)," Block said. "I feel like I was getting jumpy at the beginning of the season and now I'm more relaxed at the plate."
Along with Block, Colby Backus, Dalton McLain and Cole McCallum each had two hits as well with McCallum hitting a solo home run.
Walters State didn't mess around to start things off in the game as they scored six runs in the second inning. After Block and McCallum both reached base to start, McLain drove home the first run of the game with a single that scored Block.
After an error and a balk scored two more runs, Caleb McNeely made it 5-0 with a double in the gap that scored Declan Wiesner and Andrew Ott. Block capped off the inning with a single that scored McNeely.
Walters State added one more in the third on McCallum blast and seemed to be in control. However, the Tigers answered with five in the fourth and two in the fifth to tie the game.
Walters State would take one last lead back in the bottom of the fifth as Noah Gent singled home a run to make it 8-7. But Chattanooga State scored eight in the sixth to break the game open.
Game Two: Walters State 8, Chattanooga State 1
Following Knapp's lead on the mound, Walters State broke out to an early lead again and this time held on to it for the win.
At the plate, Block led the way once again with two more hits, including a two-run homer in the fifth.
"He kept throwing fastball and curveball away, and I was just fighting with two strikes," Block said. "I finally got my fastball inside and caught it out front."
Along with Block, Backus, Gent and Corbin Shaw each had two hits as Shaw and Block both brought home three runs.
Wanting to get the bad taste out of their mouths, Walters State scored four runs in the bottom of the first to take control early.
In the first, the Senators loaded the bases with no outs and Shaw drove home two runs with a double. Block then made it 3-0 with an RBI single before McCallum scored a run on a fielder's choice.
In the second, Walters State added two more runs as Gent doubled home McNeely and Shaw singled in Gent. The scoring concluded in the fifth as Block hammered a two-run home run to make it 8-0.
Chattanooga State would get one run in the sixth off Knapp, but Geo Rivera came into the game in the seventh and shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning.
Up Next:
Walters State has four games left on the week as the Senators take on Cumberland JV on Thursday on the road before facing Jackson State for three games over the weekend. First pitch for Thursday is set for 4 p.m.
"We just need to stay focused and follow coach Shelton's lead, and we'll have a good week for sure," Knapp said.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics