MORRISTOWN, TN -- Softball returned to Walters State on Tuesday afternoon for the Lady Senators home opener against Roane State.

And the home opener brought a whole lot of offense.

The Lady Senators hit five home runs in the game one and followed that up with 13 runs in the first inning of game two. Walters State swept the doubleheader against the Lady Raiders, winning 10-3 and 15-2.

With the wins, Walters State improves to 5-3 on the year and 2-2 in conference play.

"It's been a tough time with this weather getting out here and playing and getting those swings," Walters State coach Larry Sauceman said. "That's what it is all about getting in rhythm. Hopefully, we continue to improve every day."

WALTERS STATE 10, ROANE STATE 3

The home run barrage was the highlight in game one on Tuesday as the Lady Senators hit five. All 10 runs that scored were from home runs.

Walters State was led in the game by Jessica Campbell with three hits. Sydney Dukes, Lauren Brickey and Kasey Bennett each had two hits while Jessica Odom and Bennett had three RBIs.

After a scoreless first, Walters State got things going in the bottom of the second when Bennett hit her first home run of the game, a two-run shot that made it 2-0.

The Lady Senators increased their lead in the third on another home run as Odom got in on the fun with a three-run bomb that hit the top of the scoreboard.

Then, in the fourth, Walters State broke the game open as Bennett hit her second homer of the game and Brickey hit a two-run homer that made it 8-2.

Brickey also got the start in the circle in game one, throwing six innings and allowed three runs on eight hits while striking out five. Brickey has been great to start the year for the Lady Senators as she is hitting .417 with three home runs and eight RBIs and is also 3-0 in the circle.

"She pitches and does a good job and is great swinging the bat," Sauceman said. "She's athletic enough to really handle herself."

The scoring was capped off in the bottom of the fifth when Dukes hit a two-run homer.

Allison Chandler pitched the final inning for Walters State, closing the game out for her first save and giving the Lady Senators the win.

WALTERS STATE 15 ROANE STATE 2

Walters State followed up the home run barrage with maybe their best offensive inning of the season in game two.

The Lady Senators scored 13 runs in the bottom of the 1st and never looked back.

In the first, the Lady Senators immediately loaded the bases and scored the first run on a Brickey walk.

Then, Odom cleared the bases with a double that made it 4-0. Odom had six RBIs in the first inning as she hit a 3-run homer later in the first.

"Odom hit two home runs and did a really nice job," Sauceman said. "We've got some real talent; it's just about getting in a groove."

After a fielders choice made it 5-0, Campbell knocked home two more runs before Bennett drove home two more. The scoring was finished off in the inning with Odom's homer and a Haley Parrott RBI single.

In total, the Lady Senators brought 18 to the plate, totaling 13 runs on 10 hits.

The Lady Senators padded their lead in the second with a double steal that scored a run. Walters State capped off their scoring in the bottom fourth when Campbell hit the team's seventh home run of the day, making it 15-1.

Walters State was led by Campbell again with four hits and three RBIs. She's now hitting .722 on the year. Bennett, Odom and Kallyn Newport each had two hits while Odom had six RBIs

Hannah Robinson got the start in game two and was phenomenal, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out seven. She is now 2-1 on the season.

"Robinson pitched great that game," Sauceman said. "She walked just one batter today. We needed that big time. It's just been a mental thing and trying to find the strike zone. So today was great. I hope she just gets better and better, and I think she will."

UP NEXT:

Walters State will be back in action on Thursday, taking on Motlow State at home. That doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m.

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics