Chipola rallies past Tallahassee in series opener

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 3, 2015) - Chipola College scored three runs with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to erase a two-run deficit and defeat Tallahassee Community College 8-6 in game one of the teams' three-game Panhandle Conference series.

PC-leading Chipola (30-8 overall) improved to 7-3 in league play while Tallahassee (26-14) lost for the third straight game to drop to 4-6.

The Eagles seized control of a back-and-forth affair, scoring single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to break a 4-all tie. Meanwhile, Cameron Paley was cruising on the mound, having retired 11 of the 12 batters he faced since relieving starter Dustin Dye with two on and nobody out in the fourth. But a single and walk put the tying runs on and sent head coach Mike McLeod to his bullpen for the third of five pitchers used on the day.

Thomas Nicoll quickly put Gunnar McNeil into an 0-2 hole but a wild pitch advanced the runners then McNeil beat out an infield single to short to score a run. When Chad Mabini's throw got past first baseman Tyler Atwell, a second runner raced home to tie the game. Later, McNeil stole third and scored when third baseman Ethan Crout mishandled the throw at the bag. Just like that, Chipola had taken a 7-6 lead.

The Indians added another run in the eighth but the Eagles' defense turned a 5-2-3 double play to escape further damage. Tallahassee spun a 5-3-5 double play in the first to snuff out a Chipola scoring threat. In between, however, there were six errors which led to five unearned runs.

Tallahassee got on the board first with two runs in the first. The first four batters reached base, capped by Atwell's single to right that scored Crout. After a pair of strikeouts, Geremy Walton singled to right, scoring Mac Wilson. D.J. McKnight attempted to score from second but was thrown out at home to end the inning.

After allowing three unanswered runs, the Eagles answered in the third. This time, it was a miscue by the Indians' defense that allowed McKnight to score from third. Walton followed with another RBI-single to score Cody Fulton and give the Eagles a 4-3 lead.

Tallahassee broke the 4-all tie in the fifth on Robert Henderson's RBI-groundout. Fulton singled home Wilson an inning later for the Eagles' final run of the game.

Both teams had 10 hits, although the Eagles stranded 12 base runners.

Walton led Tallahassee with a 3-for-5 night and two RBIs. McKnight went 2-for-4.

Nicoll was charged with the loss for Tallahassee.

Game two of the series between the Eagles and Indians is set for 2 p.m. eastern on Saturday in Marianna, Fla. Game three will be back at Eagle Field at 5 p.m. Monday.