Northwest-Shoals baseball spring season recap through February 19

MUSCLE SHOALS & PHIL CAMPBELL-After playing an exhibition schedule last fall, Coach David Langston’s Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) Patriots baseball team opened its spring slate February 4, 2023, in Cullman against Lincoln Trail Community College (LTCC). In the doubleheader, the Patriots won game one 10-8, and lost game two 5-3.

In the opener, Samuel Pace earned the win for the Patriots pitching two innings. Pace gave up four runs on four hits and recorded two strikeouts.

Michael Pfeiffer threw three innings. Pfeiffer gave up five hits and three runs.

Ethan Muncher came in and threw two innings, giving up one run on three hits and striking out two batters to earn the save.

Cole Strachan went 2-4, with two home runs, scoring two runs and had three RBIs for the Patriots. Caleb Davis went 1-1 scoring two runs and one RBI. Andrew Jones went 1 for 4, scoring one and had three RBIs.

Andrew Jones blasted a home run in the fifth, one of three Patriot home runs in the DH.

The Patriots lost the nightcap 5-3, despite outhitting LTCC three to two. Cason Henry took a tough luck loss, allowing one hit and four runs over 3.1 innings, striking out four.

Taylor Bush led the Patriots at the plate going 2-3.

On February 5, the Patriots stayed in Cullman and faced LTCC for the third time, losing 3-1.

Zach Hill suffered the loss for the Patriots with a three inning, three-hit, one run performance with four strikeouts.

The Patriots’ lone run came from Brodie Holcomb who went 1-2. Alex Wilson went 2-4 at the plate to lead the Patriots in hits.

The Patriots traveled to Millington, Tennessee for a doubleheader against Olney Central College (OCC) and Motlow State Community College (MSCC) on February 11.

The Patriots defeated OCC 5-4 with a walk-off single by Brodie Holcomb.

Ethan Muncher was the winning pitcher, with one perfect inning. Samuel Pace threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen.

Alex Wilson went 1 for 4 with two RBIs. Parker White went 2 for 4 on the night.

Facing a five-run deficit in the second inning against MSCC, the Patriots almost came all the way back, eventually falling 6-5.

Cason Henry took the loss for the Patriots. Henry surrendered six runs on seven hits over 3.1 innings and had five strikeouts. Both Emitt Green and Jacob Little pitched in relief.

Green threw 1.2 innings and Little one inning respectively.

The Patriots scored five runs in the third inning. Jones’ single brought home the tying run. The rally also included singles by Wilson, Gipson and Cade Prestegard.

On Sunday, February 12, the Patriots lost to Southwest Tennessee Community College 13-0 at USA Field, in Millington.

Zach Hill took the loss for Patriots. Hill allowed ten hits and 13 runs over three innings, and struck out three batters. Landon Leslie came on in relief and went one inning, allowing one hit and striking out two with one walk.

Brodie Holcomb, Caleb Davis, Prestegard, and Alex Wilson each managed one hit to lead Patriots.

On the same day, the Patriots faced Dyersburg State Community College and lost 7-0.

Ethan Muncher took the loss for the Patriots. Ethan allowed seven hits and seven runs over 2.2 innings and striking out four.

Nick Smith went 2-2 at the plate, accounting for two of the team’s five hits.

The Patriots traveled to Freed-Hardeman University on February 14 and suffered a 4-3 loss.

Landon Leslie started on the mound. Leslie surrendered one run on one hit over two innings, struck out two and walked one.

Cole Strachan, Andrew Jones, Brodie Holcomb, and Caleb Davis each collected one hit for the Patriots. Strachan’s hit was a solo home run in the second inning.

The Patriots faced Mineral Area College (MAC) in a doubleheader on February 17 and were defeated 8-6 in game one.

Michael Pfeiffer started the game for the Patriots on the mound. The pitcher threw 5.1 innings, allowing four hits and one run while striking out three.

The Patriots launched two home runs on the day. Andrew Jones went deep in the third and Eli Gipson in the sixth inning.

In the nightcap, MAC defeated the Patriots 24-1. Cason Henry started on the mound, lasting 0.2 innings, allowing three hits and eight runs. Landon Leslie, Luke Holden and Emitt Green each contributed in relief for the Patriots.

Alex Wilson went 1 for 1 at the plate to account for the Patriots’ lone hit.

On Saturday, February 18, the Patriots’ first game on their new baseball field was a memorable one, as Zach Hill threw a complete game shutout, leading the Patriots to a 1-0 victory. Hill allowed three hits and no runs over seven innings, striking out four. The Patriots did not commit a single error the entire game.

Drew McBurnett and Eli Gipson each managed one hit as the Patriots made the most of only two hits in the game.

In the nightcap, the Patriots got on the board in the first inning when Alex Wilson hit a solo home run. The Patriots were tied 2-2 going into the sixth inning when MAC scored five runs in route to a 7-2 win.

Bryce Sanders was on the hill for the Patriots. Sanders went five innings, allowing five runs on six hits and striking out four. Alex Wilson led the Patriots with two hits in two at bats.

For more information on Patriots baseball visit https://nwscc.edu/patriots-baseball/.