MORRISTOWN, TN – Blake Cooper pitched five scoreless innings while Jarrett Martin smacked a three-run homer, as No. 2 Walters State completed the sweep over Jackson State on Sunday with a 7-1 win.
With the win, Walters State improved to 28-4 overall and 7-2 in TCCAA play.
Making his first conference start of the season, second overall, Cooper (2-1) was excellent on the mound. Cooper allowed just three hits and struck out five, picking up his second win of the season.
"I just knew I had to go out there and throw strikes and let the defense work behind me," Cooper said. "I was fastball heavy because it was so cold out here."
Riley Franklin replaced Cooper in the sixth and threw two innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three. Bradley Gagen pitched a scoreless eighth before Taz Butler pitched a scoreless ninth to close things out.
Despite the freezing temperatures, all four pitchers were comfortable on the mound and didn't change their mindset.
"It's just the same mindset, just to go out there and throw strikes and let your defense work," Cooper said about pitching in cold weather. "You just have to get the job done."
At the plate, the Senators totaled nine hits. Corbin Shaw, Cooper Torres and Kruise Newman each had two hits while Martin hit a three-run homer.
For Martin, it was a nice end to the weekend after having a home run hook just foul during Saturday's second game.
"It felt really good," Martin said. "It felt good to get one. I feel like I have been seeing it really well these past few weeks. I just have to continue to put good swings on the ball."
The homer from Martin shows the versatility of the Senators lineup, with Martin hitting in the nine spot. With so many bats in the lineup, Martin's mindset at the plate is to just find a way on and let the top of the order drive him home.
"Everybody can hit in our lineup," Martin said. "When I can get on and turn it over for our 1-2-3 to get back up, it's big for us. My main focus is to just get on base and let the big guys hit."
Things started quick for Walters State in the game as Torres knocked in Caleb Marmo in the bottom of the first. Shaw then made it 2-0 with an RBI single to score Torres.
In the second, the Senators added one more as Newman scored on an error. Jackson State got a run back in the seventh to make it 3-1, but Walters State put up four in the bottom of the eighth to close it out. Those runs came on an RBI single by Newman and Martin's three-run homer.
Up Next:
Walters State will have time off before returning to action on Friday at home against Southwest Tennessee. First pitch on Friday is set for 2 p.m.
"We have one of the best teams in the conference coming in, so we need to keep our heads on straight and go in and get three wins next weekend," Cooper said.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics