Eagles take down Northwest Florida State behind Schaeffer, Mabini

By: Joshua Berrian, TCC Sports Information

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 21, 2015) – Returning to their home field on a bright and sunny Tuesday afternoon in Tallahassee, the Tallahassee Community College Eagles would go up against the Raiders of Northwest Florida State College for the fourth time this season. The Eagles would go on to win Tuesday night beating Northwest Florida State 7-2.

The Eagles now boast a 28-18 record on the season and are 6-10 in the Panhandle Conference. The Eagles are now 3-1 versus the Raiders on the season and have a chance to go up 4-1 in the season series against Northwest Florida State on Thursday.

The Eagles started things off by taking the early lead in the bottom of the second inning. With two men on base, Matt Olive singled to shallow right field to bring D.J. McKnight home for the score and give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

Starting pitcher Matt Schaeffer would hold Northwest Florida State scoreless until the top of the fifth inning when it would answer with a run of its own to tie things up at 1-1.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Eagles would break the game open scoring three runs on four hits.

Stolen bases from Geremy Walton and Olive to advance to third and second, respectively, put the Eagles in scoring position with Ethan Crout at bat. Crout singled up the middle, allowing Walton to score and Olive to advance to third. Moments later, Chad Mabini singled to shallow right-centerfield to score Olive while Crout advanced to second. Following two straight balls, Crout scored for the Eagles on a single to left field from Cody Fulton for a 4-1 lead.  

In the top of the eighth inning, the Eagles' pitching staff would make a change and relieve Schaeffer with Mabini.

In the bottom of the inning, the Eagles would catch fire again going on another three-run rally. After a stolen base by McKnight to third, Zach Featherstone singled him home to shallow right field. Shortly after, Mac Wilson was at bat with Olive and Jeremy Scott on first and second base. Wilson singled to centerfield allowing Scott to score and advance Olive to second. A bobbled ball allowed Crout to reach first and load the bases. Afterwards, Mabini reached on a walk to score Olive and increase the Eagles' lead to 7-1.

In the top of the ninth inning, Norwest Florida State would break its silence with a run, but it would be too little, too late as the game would end on a ground out to shortstop.

Olive went 2-for-3 with one RBI and also scored twice.

Schaeffer got the start on the mound for the Eagles and pitched seven innings, giving up one run and striking out seven batters. Mabini took the mound in relief in the eighth and saved the game for Schaeffer, who is now 4-1 after tonight's victory.

The Eagles return to action tomorrow night at Chipola College. Wednesday's first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. eastern.