Eagles rally past NWF State to lock up postseason berth

NICEVILLE, Fla. (April 10, 2013) - Add another entry to Tallahassee Community College's growing list of improbable come-from-behind victories.

Trailing 6-2 in the top of the eighth inning, Tallahassee stunned Northwest Florida State College with six runs and defeated the Raiders, 8-6, on Wednesday evening.

Tallahassee (39-5, 13-1 PC) clinched a berth in the FCSAA/NJCAA Gulf District Tournament with the win and, coupled with Pensacola State College's 6-0 win over Gulf Coast State College, reduced its magic number for clinching the Panhandle Conference Championship to two.

Facing a four-run deficit, Clay Fenwick and Trent Higginbothem led off the eighth with consecutive singles. The next batter, Tyler York, hit a three-run homer to left field off Raiders closer Michael Royal to pull the Eagles within a run.

John Price, Jr., continued the rally with a single up the middle. After a sac bunt and a line out to right, Kevin Cruz homered to left and put Tallahassee in front, 7-6.

Two Northwest Florida State errors followed, resulting in Tallahassee's sixth run of the inning.

Cody Alling tossed a scoreless eighth for the Eagles, and Victor Cole pitched around a pair of walks in the ninth to record the save.

Eric Russell, the fifth of seven pitchers used by Tallahassee on Wednesday, was credited with the victory.

Tallahassee got on the board in the first, courtesy of back-to-back doubles by Chad Mabini and Fenwick. The Eagles added to their lead in the third when York singled home Mabini.

Northwest Florida State got to Tallahassee starter Patrick Riley in the third, sending 11 men to the plate during a five-run inning. The Raiders were poised for an even bigger inning but Dan VanSickle, who relieved Riley after the first two runs were in, got Scottie Peavey to pop out to first with the bases loaded for the final out of the inning.

Northwest Florida State managed only six hits on Wednesday. Nick Masonia went 2-for-4.

Tallahassee doubled the Raiders' hit total, led by York, who was 3-for-4 with four RBI. Mabini was 3-for-5 while Fenwick and Higginbothem had two hits apiece.

Tallahassee will carry a ten-game winning streak into a two-game set with Chipola College. Friday's game has been rescheduled for a 3 p.m. eastern first pitch.

The teams will return to Tallahassee for a 2 p.m. game on Saturday.