MORRISTOWN, TN – As has been the case for the majority of the season, the Walters State offense carried the Lady Senators on Saturday.

Taking on Cleveland State in a doubleheader, the Lady Senators totaled 29 hits and 23 runs as they swept the Lady Cougars 12-3 and 11-6.

With the wins, Walters State improves to 14-6 on the year and are 9-3 in the conference.

"I didn't think we played that well today," Walters State coach Larry Sauceman said. "We just need to be better. It was just one of those days. But it's a conference sweep so that's all we needed."

WALTERS STATE 12, CLEVELAND STATE 3

In game one, the Lady Senators used a seven-run sixth inning to run-rule the Lady Cougars.

Walters State was led in the game by Kasey Bennett. Bennett had two hits and three RBIs. Her three-run home run in the sixth ended the game.

Along with Bennett, Jessica Odom had two hits and three RBIs while Hanna Taylor and Sydney Dukes both knocked in two runs. Olivia Wheeler walked four times in the game.

The scoring started right off the bat for Walters State as they got three runs in the bottom of the first. Dukes led the scoring off when she doubled home Bennett to make it 1-0. Then, Kallyn Newport singled home Dukes before Odom doubled home Wheeler to make it 3-0.

The scoring continued in the bottom of the second when Dukes singled in Jessica Campbell and also in the third when Taylor walked with the bases loaded, scoring Wheeler.

In the sixth, Walters State finished the game off. It started off with Odom singling home Wheeler. After Taylor scored Newport on a sacrifice fly, Campbell singled home Odom. Bennett then ended the game with her three-run bomb.

Hannah Robinson got the start in the circle for Walters State but left the game with two outs in the first. Allison Chandler replaced Robinson and got out of the jam and then went the distance, throwing 5.1 innings, allowing three runs, just two of the earned, on five hits.

WALTERS STATE 11, CLEVELAND STATE 6

In game two, the offense continued its impressive efforts as they totaled 17 hits in the ballgame.

It was Bennett again who led the way in game two as she hit another three-run home run. Newport also hit a home run in the game while Maggie Johnson and Dukes each had three hits.

However, the story of the game was in the circle as Sydney Johnson made her first start of the season. Johnson threw four innings, allowing six runs, only three of them were earned, on seven hits and struck out two.

"Sydney came out there for her first start, and she did pretty good," Sauceman said. "We didn't help her out much in the field. She could see more starts. We'll just have to see about everyone else."

For the second straight game, it was Dukes who got the scoring going as she singled home Bennett in the bottom of the first. The Lady Senators added one more run in the first when Parrott scored on an error.

Then, with Cleveland State out in front 4-2, the Lady Senators took the game over in the bottom of the third. It started with Newport blasting a three-run home run over the scoreboard that gave Walters State the lead. Then, it was Bennett who got in on the fun as she hit a three-run home run and suddenly, it was 8-4 in favor of the Lady Senators.

Walters State added one more run in the fifth when Campbell doubled and then Bennett scored her on a double. Then, in the sixth, Kaitlyn Harper scored a run on a sacrifice fly and Johnson singled home Odom.

After Johnson's start, Chandler came back in and threw three scoreless innings, closing the game out and earning her third save of the season.

UP NEXT:

Walters State will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to take on this same Cleveland State team. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics