MORRISTOWN, TN – With runners on first and second and one out in the ninth and the count 3-2, No. 17 Gaston College was looking to pull off some late-inning magic Wednesday afternoon against No. 3 Walters State.
Fortunately for the Senators, Deniel Ortiz and Taz Butler had other plans.
Butler got the Gaston College batter to ground to third, and Ortiz stomped on the base and fired quickly to first to complete the double play and end the game with the Senators on top, 9-7.
With the win, Walters State improved to 45-8 on the season. After splitting a doubleheader at Gaston earlier in the season, the Senators took the season series on Wednesday.
"I was expecting that ball all day," Ortiz said. "The mindset is hit the ball to me. I am ready at all times. I'm at the home corner, so I have to be ready to go.
"This was a great team win that helps us prepare for the postseason. It helps get us ready for Columbia this weekend. Just a great team win."
Ortiz led the team at the plate with three hits, including two doubles and a homer. Ortiz scored four runs and drove in one.
"I had a good approach today," Ortiz said. "I was just trying to sit back and hit the ball opposite field. Everything was working well today."
Along with Ortiz, the whole Senator team hit well as they collected 14 hits. Kruise Newman, Cooper Torres and Angus Pence each had two hits and drove in two runs, while Corbin Shaw collected two hits and drove in a run.
"It was great to see everyone do what they had to do," Ortiz said about the lineup. "We just came out ready to go, and it was a great team win."
On the mound, Landon Slemp got the start and threw five innings. Slemp allowed four runs on six hits and struck out three.
Slemp was replaced by Ty Cobb (3-0) who pitched the sixth and gave up a run on a hit. Cobb was replaced by Johnny Stevens in the seventh, who pitched to two batters before Blake Cooper came in. Cooper threw a hitless inning.
In the eighth, Miles Smith entered and got an out but allowed a run. With the bases-loaded, Taz Butler got the call and got the final two outs before getting three outs in the ninth to record his second save of the season.
"I just knew I'm usually the man put in this spot, so I had to go out there and do my job," Butler said. "Today was a big curveball day. We made things work and it was a good win."
After a scoreless inning to start, Gaston struck first with a solo homer in the top of the second. However, the Senators tied the game up in the bottom half as Keaton Ray doubled home Ortiz.
Walters State took their first lead of the game in the fourth on Ortiz's solo homer, but Gaston scored three in the fifth to lead 4-2. Needing a response, the Senators got it in the bottom half of the fifth as Torres doubled home Caleb Marmo and Pence to tie the game.
In the sixth, Walters State retook the lead as Newman single home a run and Pence singled two home to make it 7-4. Gaston answered with two in the seventh to cut the lead to one, but the Senators got a run back in the bottom half as Newman laid down a beautiful bunt that he beat out and got Ortiz home from third to make it 8-6.
In the eighth, Gaston scored once more on a fielder's choice but Butler left the tying run on third with a ground out to short. The Senators then got some much-needed insurance as Shaw singled home Torres to make it 9-7.
That was the final as Butler and Ortiz worked together to get the final three outs.
"This is a huge win and confidence boost," Butler said. "We played them earlier and split, so it was major to be able to come out with the win today."
Up Next:
Walters State will be back in action on Friday to begin their final series of the regular season against Columbia State. The Senators hold a two-game lead over Dyersburg and Columbia for first place in the conference heading into the final weekend.
Friday's nine-inning game is set for 2 p.m.
"We just have to play like we do," Butler said. "Don't do anything special and just do your job."
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics