Senators pitching staff steps up for two big wins in TCCAA/NJCAA Region VII Tournament

GALLATIN, TN – For a program known for their power hitting and absurd offensive numbers, the Walters State pitching staff proved otherwise on Wednesday afternoon in the TCCAA/Region VII Tournament during their two elimination contests.  

Peyton Calitri, Brayden Matthews, Nolan Letzgus and Joey Mitchell all took the mound for Walters State with their backs against the wall and were unbelievable as they held off Motlow in game one, 3-1, and Dyersburg, a team who scored 20 runs on them yesterday, in game two 8-3.  

With the two wins, Walters State forces a deciding game against Dyersburg at 3 p.m. ET tomorrow.  

"We had four pitchers that stepped up, and I don't even know what to say about them," Walters State coach Dave Shelton said. "Walters State is not supposed to be coming out winning a 3-1 ball game. Those guys were phenomenal to get us here. Letzgus and Mitchell, I mean holy cow. I am speechless about their performances today and really proud of them." 

Calitri got the start on the mound in game one for Walters State and worked his way out of trouble time and time again. Calitri gave up 13 hits but allowed just one run as he struck out seven.  

"I knew it was my game and that we were low on pitching, so I knew I needed to come out there and throw strikes," Calitri said. "I did that and just let them hit it and work out of it. I just focused with runners on and trusted my defense."  

Matthews replaced Calitri in the seventh inning and filled up the strike zone as well as he gave up just one hit in the final three innings, striking out four in the process.  

While both Matthews and Calitri were keeping Motlow at bay on the mound, the Senators struck early at the plate to give them a lead to work with.  

In the first, Alberto Osuna singled home a run with the bases loaded. Cam Fisher followed that up as he singled home a run to make it 2-0. Walters State pushed their lead to 3-0 in the fourth when Andrew Ott singled in Fisher.  

With the win, Walters State moved on to the championship, taking on Dyersburg. This time, Shelton turned to Letzgus on the mound. Letzgus had not pitched since March 16 coming in. 

So naturally, all he did was shove on the mound.  

Letzgus threw six innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out five.  

"I just wanted to get through the first inning and let the adrenaline set in and just go from there," Letzgus said. "I trusted my defense, so I was relaxed out there for the most part."  

Letzgus was helped out in the field as well as Silas Butler and Nick Block made multiple diving grabs in the outfield to prevent hits and save runs.  

"They definitely helped me out," Letzgus said. "If not for them, I probably would have given up two or three more runs. Just having them out there, is amazing."  

Mitchell replaced Letzgus in the seventh and, like Matthews in game one, was lights out. He pitched the final three innings, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out seven.  

At the plate once again, the Senators got things going early. First, it was Fisher in the first as he singled home two runs with the bases loaded. Noah Gent would then walk with the bases loaded again and it was 3-0 early.  

In the fifth, Ott kept his impressive tournament play going with a single that scored Osuna. The Senators scored two more in the inning when McNeely doubled home two more.  

In the seventh, with Dyersburg cutting the lead to 6-3, the Senators scored once again as Butler singled home Dalton McLain. Lukas Cook added a big insurance run in the ninth when he doubled, took third on a bunt from Butler and scored on a passed ball.  

Dyersburg would load the bases in the ninth, but Mitchell struck out two to end the contest.  

Walters State must now turn around and take on Dyersburg once again. The winner will be crowned tournament champions and advance to play the winner of the Georgia Championship next week.  

"We're going to have our work cut out for us tomorrow, but hopefully we will just continue to battle and see what happens for us," Shelton said.  

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics