Tigers Split Doubleheader with Shelton State to Open Conference Play

TUSCALOOSA, AL. – The Marion Military Institute baseball team split a doubleheader with the Shelton State Community College Buccaneers in Tuscaloosa on Thursday to open ACCC North Conference play.
 
The Tigers won the first game, 5-4 with the Bucs taking the second, 5-4. Marion is 14-8 on the season and 1-1 in ACCC North Conference play.
 
In game one, Dax Winningham started on the mound for Marion.  He allowed five hits and three runs in two innings of work. Terrance Robinson and Jesse Wheeler threw in reilef, allowing four hits and one run before sophomore Gabriel Nevala shut down a Shelton State rally in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure the win.  
 
Second baseman Zachary Neumann was two-for-three with one run scored. Right fielder Jackson Cofer scored twice, knocked in one run and had two hits.  Shortstop Chase Hamrick went two-for-four with an RBI.  Centerfielder Samuel Farley and designated hitter Matthew Duncan each scored and drove in a run. Catcher Yancey Foster, first baseman Carson McGregory, and third baseman Alex Reyna each produced a hit for the Tigers. 
 
In game two, Shelton State rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring twice, to pick up the victory. Sophomore Daniel Faulk worked six innings for Marion, surrendering three hits, three runs, and two walks while striking out one batter.  Gabe Nevala, Chad Robinson, and Andrew Mask also saw action on the mound for the Tigers.
 
Rightfielder Steven Ward and catcher Justin Bisharat had the only hits for Marion, each going one-for-two at the plate.  Ward scored twice and Bisharat recorded an RBI.  Designated hitter Blake Teel and shortstop Chase Hamrick scored Marion's other two runs. 

The Tigers will be back in action Saturday afternoon when they host Shelton State Community College for another North Conference doubleheader.  First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.