McNeely’s go-ahead home run powers Walters State past Motlow State

MORRISTOWN, TN – Caleb McNeely figured on Friday afternoon that if he got an opportunity late in Walters State's TCCAA opener against Motlow State, he was going to make an impact.

He figured correctly. 

With two runners on, two outs, two strikes and Walters State trailing by a run in the bottom of the eighth, McNeely made contact with a pitch, sending the ball just over the fence in right-center. The home run was good enough as the Senators held on for a 7-5 victory.

"My mindset with two strikes there was really 'you're not missing,'" McNeely said. "He threw me an up and away fastball for like the third time in-a-row, and I just stuck my hands out and made contact with it. I think I might've gotten lucky. It just edged out."

McNeely had struggled a bit on the day for his standards, with one hit coming into the at-bat. He made up for that in a hurry.

"I felt like I was due," McNeely said. "I just kept waiting for my pitch to hit. I didn't get much to hit today so when I got my one, I took advantage of it." 

With the victory, the Senators moved to 18-2 overall and 1-0 in TCCAA play.

Nothing came easy for Walters State in the game as Motlow State starter, Bryson Valero, held them at bay, outside of a four-run second inning. 

Geo Rivera got the start for the Senators and went three innings, allowing three runs on two hits while striking out five.

Rivera was benefited by his defense, specifically in the second inning. With a runner on first and one out, Motlow State hit a ball that looked like it would carry over the fence in right. However, Walters State's Nick Block reached over the fence, bringing the ball back and doubling off the runner at first to end the inning.

According to Block, it was the best catch he has ever made.

"I honestly thought it was a ball hit in the gap at first," Block said. "I got to the wall and jumped and was honestly surprised I came down with it. Then, I realized there were just two outs so I had to throw it back in."

After Rivera, Wesley Scott took the mound in the fourth and kept Motlow State off balance at the plate with his slider. Scott threw 4.1 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits and struck out eight. Scott now has 44 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched. 

It was Scott's first appearance of the season out of the bullpen, something he adjusted to successfully.

"It was just basically about helping the team win," Scott said. "We knew we had a dog fight and that they were going to give us their all, but we just did whatever we had to do to help the team win. I'm a big three-quarters guy so the slider is a good pitch for me. I made one bad pitch with it today and it cost me, but it was a good day for the slider."

In the eighth with one out, Joey Mitchell replaced Scott in a tie game. Mitchell gave up a sacrifice fly that scored the go-ahead run for Motlow but got out of the inning and then picked up the win with a 1-2-3 ninth. It was his second win of the season.

At the plate, along with McNeely, Corbin Shaw, Block and Dalton McLain all had two hits apiece. Block, McLain and Declan Wiesner each knocked in runs as well.

It was Motlow who got on the board first with a run in the top of the first. However, with the momentum of Block's catch to end the top of the second, the Senators scored four in the bottom of the inning to take control.

After Noah Gent walked to start the inning and Shaw singled, Block drove home the Senators first run of the game with a single. Walters State then took the lead a batter later when Block scored on a passed ball. It was soon 4-1 when McLain singled home a run and Wiesner doubled McLain home. 

Motlow hung in the game though, scoring two in the third to make it 4-3. Then, in the eighth, Gabe Sibert tied the game up for Motlow with a solo home run. A sacrifice fly later in the inning gave the Bucks the lead. 

Needing a spark, Cole McCallum gave it to Walters State, poking a two-strike pitch out into right field for a single. McLain followed suit with a single before McNeely gave Walters State the lead for good. 

"I knew he was going to do that the moment he stepped to the plate," Block said. 

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action at home on Saturday for two more games against Motlow State. Game one is set to begin at Noon with game two to follow. 

For the Senators, they hope this is a wakeup call for them as they look to set the tone in the conference early.

"I think today and the last few games need to be a wakeup call for the whole team," Block said. "We just need to be ready to play tomorrow at just be focused during every at bat and play in the field." 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics