February 17, 2020
East Central freshman shortstop Amani Larry throws out a runner in game one action against Shelton State. (EC Photo)
The visiting Shelton State Community College Bucs picked up a pair of victories over host East Central Community College in baseball action Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Clark-Gay Baseball Complex on campus.
The visitors from Tuscaloosa, Ala., won the opener 4-1 and came from behind to win the nightcap 8-4.
With the losses, East Central falls to 2-2 on the season. The NJCAA Division I Shelton State Bucs improve to 5-2.
In the opener, the Warriors managed just four hits to 10 for Shelton State. East Central’s lone run came on a steal of home by sophomore second baseman Roper Ball (Nanih Waiya) in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 2-1. Ball had doubled to open the inning.
Shelton State added two runs in the top of the eighth to seal the win.
A two-run homer in the top of the fourth gave the Bucs the lead in the seven-inning game two. A couple of home runs in the bottom of the frame gave East Central a 3-2 lead. Freshman shortstop Amani Larry (Bossier, La., Parkway) led off the inning with a solo shot and freshman utility player Branson Sharpley (Taylorsville) had a two-run homer later in the inning.
The Warriors’ lead was short-lived as Shelton State moved back in front 6-3 in the top of the fifth with a pair of homers. An RBI single by freshman designated hitter Jesse Boydstun (Winston Academy) in the bottom of the sixth pulled East Central to within 6-4, before the Bucs scored two more in the top of the seventh for the 8-4 win.
The Warriors travel to the state of Florida to take on Pensacola State on Tuesday, Feb. 18. First pitch of the doubleheader is 2 p.m.
The next home action is the Rush Invitational to be held at the Clark-Gay Baseball Complex Friday through Sunday, Feb. 21-23. East Central will face Bossier Parish (La.) at 11 a.m. on Feb. 22 and then Jefferson College (Mo.) at 7 p.m. that night. Other teams participating during the weekend include East Mississippi, Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Wallace State (Hanceville, Ala.).
Most all home games can be heard on WKOZ “Cruisin” 98.3 or watched via live stream video at www.eccc.edu/eccc-media.
