Copley’s walk-off home run highlights doubleheader sweep over Chattanooga State

MORRISTOWN, TN – Down but not out was the motto for No. 5 Walters State in both games against Chattanooga State on Sunday afternoon.

In game one of the day, the Lady Senators trailed 2-0 but got a solo homer by Abigail Taylor in the fifth, a two-RBI single by Taylor in the sixth and a Kailey Dixon two-run homer right after as Walters State claimed a 5-3 win. 

Then in game two, the Lady Senators trailed 2-0 again to Chattanooga State. This time, Taylor had an RBI single in the fifth to cut the deficit in half, and Brooklyn Copley ended things with a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to give the Lady Senators a 3-2 win. 

With the sweep, Walters State improved to 29-5 overall and 19-3 in TCCAA play. 

The two wins were well-deserving for pitchers Hayley Lawing and Makayla Ramsey, as both pitched admirably in each game. 

"That's two big conference wins today," Walters State coach Larry Sauceman said. "(Abigail) Taylor had some big hits in both games. (Kailey) Dixon had a big home run in the first game, and Brooklyn Copley came through there at the end. Great job by both pitchers today, too. We just need to keep this up as we move forward." 

GAME ONE: No. 5 Walters State 5, Chattanooga State 3

In game one, Walters State used a big sixth-inning and held off a seventh-inning rally by Chattanooga State to take the win.

Lawing got the start in the circle and threw a complete game to claim the win. Lawing allowed three runs on six hits. She struck out six. 

Chattanooga State got the scoring going in the second, as they loaded the bases and Lawing walked in a run. However, Lawing recovered and got a strikeout and flyout to end the inning and minimize the damage to one run.

That's where the score stayed until the fifth, when Chattanooga State doubled their lead with a solo home run. But that's when Walters State began to make their charge, as Taylor smacked her first home run of the season in the bottom half of the inning to make it 2-1.

In the top of the sixth, Lawing struck out the side to keep the deficit at one. Imari Golden led off the bottom half of the inning with a single. Golden was forced out at second on a fielder's choice by Olivia Neese, but Neese moved to third on a Kendal Mason double.

That brought up Taylor, and she gave Walters State the lead with a two-RBI single. Dixon was next up, and she made it a 5-2 game with a massive home run. 

In the seventh, Chatt State got a run and had the bases loaded with two outs. But Lawing got a groundball to Golden at second, and she tagged out the runner going to second to end the game. 

GAME TWO: No. 5 Walters State 3, Chattanooga State 2

In game two, Ramsey kept Chattanooga State at bay until the Lady Senators offense did enough to grab the win.

Ramsey allowed two runs in her seven innings of work and struck out five. 

Chattanooga State once again got on the board first in game two with a run in the top of the first. The Lady Senators had their chances for a response early but left the bases-loaded in the first, second and fourth innings. 

Chatt State upped their lead to 2-0 in the top of the third, and that's where the score stood until the fifth. In the fifth, Copley walked to lead off the inning and moved to second on a bunt by Golden. After advancing to third on a passed ball, Copley scored to make it 2-1 on a Taylor RBI single. 

Chattanooga State threatened again in the sixth with the bases-loaded and one out, but Copley snagged a line drive and tagged third to complete the double play.

In the seventh, Ramsey got Chatt State 1-2-3. Jules Johnson led off the bottom half of the inning with a single, and Copley sent everyone home as she mashed a ball way over the fence to give Walters State a 3-2 win.

Up Next:

Walters State will be on the road next weekend, taking on Volunteer State. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics