Eagles split doubleheader with Chipola in home finale

By Joshua Berrian, TCC Sports Information

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 14, 2015) – The Tallahassee Community College Eagles split a doubleheader on Tuesday night against the Panhandle Conference champion Chipola College Indians, who are ranked No. 11 nationally, dropping game one 8-2 and winning the nightcap 2-1.

The Eagles, who closed out their home schedule on Tuesday, improved to 26-14 overall and 6-8 in Panhandle Conference play.

With Tuesday's split, the Eagles maintained their hold on third place in the Panhandle Conference standings, one-half game ahead of Northwest Florida State College and 1.5 games in front of fifth place Gulf Coast State College. Tallahassee also retained hopes of climbing as high as second place in the league standings heading into Thursday's PC finale at Northwest Florida State. 

In game one, the Eagles struggled offensively in the 8-2 loss. 

The Indians scored two runs in the first inning, however, the Eagles cut the lead to one when Kayla Boucher singled to left field allowing Taesha DuBoise to score.

In the third inning, Chipola broke the game open with three runs to jump out to a 5-1 lead. The Eagles answered with a run of their own when Danielle Patterson scored on a fielder's choice, cutting into Chipola's lead as the Eagles trailed 5-2.

Chipola added a pair of insurance runs, one in the sixth and another in the seventh inning, to claim the 8-2 lead.

Maria Rivera went seven innings striking out four batters on the night. Today's loss put her season record at 7-4.

Patterson went 3-4 with a run and also had a stolen base.

In game two, the Eagles came back late in the game to beat the Indians 2-1.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the third inning when Chipola scored the game's first run to lead 1-0.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Eagles evened the score. Shelby Manns drew a walk and advanced to second when Brooke Marendino reached base on a fielder's choice. Manns and Marendino stole second and third base to move into scoring position. Manns scored the first run for the Eagles and tied the game at 1-1 on a throwing error.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Eagles broke the tie. A pop fly single off the bat of Jaylene Pryor scored Taesha DuBoise with what proved to be the game-winning run. 

In the top of the seventh inning, the Eagles finished things off as Brianna Tourtillott made an amazing line drive catch in left field, almost turning a double play as her throw was just short of beating the runner back to first base. Alexandra Cook would ice the game by catching a line drive back to the pitcher giving the Eagles the victory.

Jaylene Pryor went 1-for-3 in game two with an RBI.

Cook held the Indians in check only allowing one run through seven innings. She allowed four hits while striking out two batters. With today's win, she is now 8-1 this season.

This Thursday, the Eagles will end the PC season with a doubleheader at Northwest Florida State. The first game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.