Bucs Drop First Game of Road Trip

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The No. 14 Shelton State Community College baseball team dropped the first game of its four-game road trip through the state of Florida, falling 10-7 at Pensacola State on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bucs (5-3) jumped out to a 7-2 lead, scoring five runs in the top of the second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of freshman catcher Micah Taguiam to give the Bucs a five-run lead.

Pensacola State (6-7) got two runs back in the bottom of the third inning and then plated six runs in the fifth inning to take a 10-7 lead. Madox Land delivered a two-out, two-run single in the third inning to cut the deficit to 7-4. The Pirates hit two home runs the fifth to take the lead. Kaden Wilks belted a two-run home run to make it 7-6. After an RBI single, Jackson Stallworth hit a three-run home run to put the Pirates head to stay.

Shelton State loaded the bases in the seventh inning but did not score.

The Bucs scored two runs on three hits in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Freshman Owen Anchors and sophomore Jackson Henderson had back-to-back one-out singles and sophomore James Graphos lined a two-run double to left to give the Bucs an early lead.

Pensacola State tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, scoring on a ground out and balk.

Shelton State erupted for five runs in the second inning to take a 7-2 lead. Sophomore John Robicheaux drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a Pirates error to give the Bucs a 3-2 lead. Anchors stroked a two-out double to centerfield and Henderson followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Graphos added an RBI single to push the lead to 4-2 and Taguiam  greeted Pirates reliever Wideman with a three-run homer to give the Bucs a 7-2 lead.

Graphos had three hits and three RBIs to lead the Bucs offense. Henderson added three hits and Anchors had two hits.

The Bucs used five pitchers in the loss. Freshman Jackson Hunter drew the start and allowed four runs and six hits in two-plus innings. Freshman Connor Jones (0-1) followed and allowed five runs in one-plus inning and was charged with the loss. Freshman Walker Craig allowed one run in two innings and sophomore Kenneth Diddell and freshman Jarret Scott both pitched a scoreless inning.

Shelton State will face Gulf Coast State on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. in Panama City.