Tallahassee beats Gulf Coast State in extra innings
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 22, 2021) – Josh Gray's two-out, bases loaded single in the bottom of the tenth scored Andrew Fernandez from third and gave Tallahassee Community College a 6-5, walk-off victory against Gulf Coast State College on Thursday afternoon.
Tallahassee (19-29, 6-16 Panhandle Conference) has now split the first four games in a stretch of six games in six days to close the 2021 season.
Gulf Coast State scored single runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings to erase Tallahassee's 5-2 lead and send the game to extra innings. Meanwhile, the Eagles had managed just one hit – Stan King's fourth-inning single – after the second inning as the game moved to the bottom of the tenth.
After the leadoff man was retired, singles by Andrew Fernandez, Nick Niewulis and Dilan Lawson loaded the bases. Jeissy De La Cruz had the first opportunity to win the game, but struck out. Gray, however, came through, lacing a single over the head of first baseman Justin Kelley to score Fernandez from third with the game-winning run.
Gray went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Niewulis was 2-for-5 with an RBI.
Both teams came out on fire offensively.
The Commodores collected four hits in the top of the first, but Tallahassee starter Matt Cooper found a way to minimize the damage, and Gulf Coast State managed but a 2-0 lead.
The Eagles tied the game in their first at-bat then scored three times in the bottom of the second. Gray doubled home De La Cruz with the go-ahead run then scored when Bryson Kirksey beat out an infield single as pitcher Sean Bencosme sailed a throw wide of the bag at first. Four batters later, Fernandez' sac-fly plated Trent Jeffcoat and gave the Eagles a 5-2 lead.
Solo homers by Dallen Leach in the third and fifth innings got the Commodores within a run, 5-4. They tied the game in the seventh when Tyler Borges and Justin Kelley reached base on consecutive doubles.
Matt Cooper started for Tallahassee and scattered seven hits over six innings and exited with a one-run lead. Matt Boynton (2-0) came on to start the seventh and pitched the final four innings, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out nine to earn the win.
Tallahassee will host Northwest Florida State College at 5 p.m. Friday in what will be the Eagles' final home game of the 2021 season. Prior the game, TCC Athletics will recognize its 2021 baseball sophomores.