Big inning lifts Eagles past Shelton State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (February 13, 2015) – The Tallahassee Community College Eagles opened a three-game series with Shelton (Ala.) State Community College on Friday and picked up an 8-4 victory on a chilly evening at Eagle Field. 

Tallahassee remained unbeaten at home (4-0) and improved to 6-4 on the season. 

The Eagles struck first in the second inning with small ball – Kyle Taddeo singled to right scoring Mac Wilson. Tallahassee scored another run in the third inning to take a 2-0 lead.  

In the fourth inning each team scored a run, as the Eagles were able to keep the lead at two (3-1). 

The Buccaneers knotted the game at three with two runs in the fifth inning and then took the lead with a run in the sixth. 

Tallahassee answered right back in the sixth inning with four runs of its own.  The Eagles worked Buccaneers pitcher John Hill to load the bases on a walk, hit batsman and another walk. Then, with the bases loaded, Hill walked Geremy Walton to score Tyler Kinard. D.J. McKnight then hit into a fielder's choice to score Taddeo. Ethan Crout followed with a single to right to score Wilson and McKnight stole home for the final run of the inning. 

Tallahassee added an insurance run in the seventh to push its lead to four (8-4). 

Chris Elander got the start for the Eagles and went five innings, striking out three. 

Craig Olsen entered in relief and earned his first win of the season. 

Matt Schaeffer took the mound in the seventh and earned his first save of the season. Schaeffer struck out five batters while only allowing two hits over three innings. 

Walton was only 1-for-2 on the night but drove in three runs. 

The Eagles will be back in action Saturday afternoon for game two of the series against Shelton State. First pitch is 2 p.m.