Tallassee handled Alabama Christian in its first match up of the season, but the Eagles turned the tables on Thursday night with a convincing 6-1 defeat of the Tigers. It was the best performance of the year heading into spring break. The home dugout was loud and rowdy to start the game, but as the Eagle pitching and defense kept posting zeroes on the scoreboard, the dugout grew quieter and quieter. One group that did not stay quiet was Tallassee’s own peanut gallery who were perched on a hill all the way down the left field line. Despite the distance from the field, the group was able to point out everything the umpires missed.
Cam Sutton started for ACA and performed masterfully as he used his defense behind him with an efficient effort. Sutton faced just eight batters over the first two frames as his catcher, Jackson McGuire helped him out of trouble in the second. With one out and runners on first and third, McGuire threw out the runner attempting to steal second for the second out of the inning. It was a close play and the Tallassee coach disagreed with the call. When the next batter flew out to left, the coach chirped at blue all the way across the infield. After several warnings to stop, the umpire tossed the coach out of the game.
The Eagles offense then provided some fireworks of its own with three runs in the third. Bryson Dabney led off the inning with a walk followed by a Mac Moorer single. Jackson McGuire tried to move the runners over with a sac bunt, but Dabney was forced out at third for the first out. The next three batters, Landon Nelson, Grant Cornette, and Jackson Burton, each drove in a run to build a 3-0 lead. Tallassee finally scored in the fourth, but Sutton held the Tigers to a single run. Neither team scored in the fifth or sixth as ACA looked to add some insurance in their final at bat.
Mac Moorer and Jackson McGuire started the seventh with back to back walks. Landon Nelson singled to center to drive in Moorer and move McGuire to third. An infield error loaded the bases and Jackson Burton followed with a ground ball single to center to drive in two runs for a 6-1 cushion. Nelson, who came in to relieve the starter in the fifth, set the Tigers down in order by striking out the side to pick up the save.
Three players delivered two hits apiece to lead the offense in the win. Jackson Burton went 2 for 3 with three RBIs while Mac Moorer finished 2 for 3 with two runs scored and Landon Nelson was 2 for 4 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Bryant Swindle, who courtesy ran for Jackson McGuire, scored the other two runs. Cam Sutton picked up his first varsity victory going 4 1/3 innings while giving up a run with one strikeout. In relief, Nelson pitched 2 2/3 innings and struck out six to earn the save.
The Eagles head south for spring break to play four games in Gulf Shores. Monday’s schedule sees ACA face Brighton (TN) and Hilldale (OK).