11th-ranked Senators score four in the seventh to complete sweep of Roane State

HARRIMAN, TN – No. 11 Walters State rallied for four runs in the seventh-inning on Sunday afternoon, completing a three-game sweep of Roane State with a 5-2 win.

With the victory, the Senators improved to 36-10 overall and 18-3 in TCCAA play.

Deniel Ortiz led the way at the plate with three hits and an RBI. Jack Vogele had two RBI, as well. As a team, the Senators had 10 hits. 

On the mound, Ethan Walker got the start and threw five innings. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out six. Gage Peterson (3-2) replaced Walker in the sixth and pitched the next 2.1 innings, allowing no hits and striking out four. 

With an out in the eighth, Luke Ferguson (Sv. 2) entered for Peterson and worked out of a bases-loaded situation. Ferguson pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. For the season, Ferguson has a 0.93 ERA in 19.1 innings. He has 27 strikeouts. 

The Senators opened the scoring on Sunday in the top of the second, as Ortiz singled with the bases-loaded to score Walker Morgan and make it 1-0. That was the score until the fifth, when Roane State smacked a two-run homer to take a one-run lead. 

In the seventh, Walters State finally broke through. Nate Conner started things with a double that scored Kurtis Reid to tie the game. After a single by Ortiz and walk to Zion Taylor to load the bases, Vogele singled home two runs to make it 4-2. The final run of the game came one batter later, as Miles Smith pinch-hit and singled home Vogele to make it 5-2. 

Roane State made one final charge in the bottom of the eighth. After an error and walk with one out, Ferguson came on to replace Peterson. Ferguson got a popout but walked the next batter to load the bases. However, Ferguson settled down and struck the next batter out looking to get out of the jam. 

In the ninth, Ferguson got two strikeouts and a popout to end the game. 

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Tuesday, traveling to Johnson City to play Southwest Virginia. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics