Saints stifle TCC on Opening Day

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (January 28, 2021) – Three Santa Fe College pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts in a 4-1 victory over Tallahassee Community College on Thursday evening in the Eagles' season opener. 

Brooks Walton struck out seven over six innings to pick up the win. Mitchell Gross recorded two strikeouts in one inning and Tyler Shelnet, who picked up the save, had four strikeouts in two innings. Each pitcher allowed two hits. 

Dilan Lawson (0-1), one of four Tallahassee pitchers to take the mound on Thursday, was tagged with the loss. 

Lawson and relievers Andrew Crumbley, Jacob Estes and Dylan Faulkner scattered eight hits and two walks over nine innings, but five Tallahassee errors led to three unearned runs. 

The Saints' lone earned run was scored in the second when Shelnut drew a leadoff walk then scored on Xavier Moronta's double down the left field line. 

Tallahassee had its opportunities but was only 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. 

Trailing 3-0, the Eagles failed to take advantage of a leadoff walk to Brendan Power in the bottom of the fifth, eventually stranding two runners. Two innings later, still trailing 3-0, Tallahassee finally got on the board when Bryson Kirksey's two-out single scored Power. Trent Jeffcoat popped out to shallow left to end the inning, stranding two more runners in the process. 

Kirksey had half of the Eagles' six hits, finishing 3-for-4. 

Tallahassee will return to play on Saturday when it travels to Pasco-Hernando State College for a doubleheader against the Bobcats. Game one begins at 11:30 a.m.