Bucs Drop Slugfest to East Central

TUSCALOOSA - In a battle of Top 10 teams, No. 7 East Central Community College knocked off No. 5 Shelton State Community College 14-12 in an early season slugfest Tuesday afternoon.

East Central (3-3) scored the final five runs of the game for the win. 

Kaden Padgett slapped a two-out, two-strike single to left to give the Warriors the 14-12 lead. 

Cade Morrow retired the Bucs in order in the ninth for the save.

Jack Bradberry (1-0) recorded two outs in the eighth and collected the win. 

Sophomore Will Harrison (1-1), who allowed three runs in the ninth, took the loss.

The Bucs allowed 11 base runners with two strikes and made five errors in the loss.

ECCC scored twice in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to 12-11

Mason Hickman, who tied the stadium record with five hits, ripped a double and Jackson White followed with an RBI single.

Shelton State overcame three deficits in the game. 

Trailing 9-8 in the sixth inning, Shelton State freshman Owen Anchors blasted a grand slam to right field to give the Bucs a 12-9 lead.

Ryan Hardin belted a two-out, two-run home run to put the Warriors up 9-8 in the sixth.

ECCC scored two runs in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. Pablo Rouge had a sac fly and DeMarkez West added a two-out single.

The Bucs answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 4-2 lead. 

Freshman Micah Taguiam delivered an RBI single, sophomore Slade Sullivan drew a bases-loaded walk, and sophomore John Robicheaux stroked a two-run single.  

The Warriors took a 5-4 lead in the top of the second, aided by two Shelton State throwing errors.

The Bucs bounced back with four runs in the third inning, highlighted by a three-run home run by Robicheaux to grab an 8-5 lead.

Robicheaux led the offense, going 3-for-3 with a home run and five RBIs. He also scored two runs.

East Central scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to pull within 8-7.

The Warriors scored in seven of nine innings and had 19 hits.

Hickman led the way with five hits, three runs scored, two doubles and two RBIs.

Shelton State had 11 hits and drew 12 walks in the game.

Anchors reached base three times, including his sixth inning grand slam. He scored two runs.

Taguiam and sophomore Jackson Henderson both had two hits.

Sullivan reached base three times and scored two runs.

Sophomore Landon Ingram reached base three times, including one hit, one walk and one hit by pitch.

The bright spot on the mound for either team was Shelton State sophomore Eli Driskell, who allowed one unearned run in 2 1/3 innings. He threw 11 of 12 first pitch strikes.

The Bucs will be on the road this Friday and Saturday when they face Northwest Florida State and Bishop State in Niceville, Fla.