Nunez falls flat in South District regional opener

OXFORD, Ala. – Five errors, six hit batters, and four walks are not ingredients for success on the baseball diamond. But that was exactly the formula for defeat.

Nunez Community College dropped a disappointing 11-1 decision Thursday afternoon to Shelton (AL) State Community College in opening round play of the 2024 NJCAA Division I South District Regional at Choccolocco Park.

Shelton jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning as they plated 4 runs without benefit of a hit in the frame that featured 4 hit batters, a walk, 2 infield errors and a passed ball. Only a diving stop by Pel third-sacker James Bendeck on Jordan Evans’ hard grounder in the 65 hole for an inning-ending fielder’s choice prevented a bigger rally.

The Pelicans scored their only run of the game in the top of the second as Jayce LaCava singled to center, moved up on a passed ball, and raced home on Matthew Cody’s 2-out line single to right-center.

The Bucs then extended their lead to 6-1 in the third on another plunk, a pair of walks, a single, and an outfield throwing error after a fly-out.

Shelton then dropped a 5-spot in the fourth on a lead-off hit batter followed by 5 singles in the inning.

Now down 11-1, the Pels were held scoreless in the top of the fifth, after which the game was called due to the 10-run rule after 5.

LaCava was 2-for-2 at the plate for Nunez while Whitt Winfield and Kyle Morrison collected 2 hits apiece for the Bucs.
Starter Bodie Vail picked up the mound win for Shelton, going 4.1 innings with no walks and 2 strikeouts.

Score By innings – Thu 5/09
Nunez – 010 00x xxx – 1 3 5
Shelton St – 402 5xx xxx – 11 8 1
Game called after 5 innings, 10-run rule
Broussard, Austin (1), Bordes (4) and Rohlfs.
Vail, Akridge (5) and Winfield.
W – Vail. L – Broussard.
2B – LaCava

In other opening round action Thursday, Southern Union (AL) Community College edged Northwest Shoals (AL) Community College 4-3, and Delgado Community College defeated Wallace (AL) State Community College 9-1. Coastal Alabama South Community College and Snead (AL) State were rained out in late scheduled Thursday action.

NEXT UP:
The Pelicans will now be forced to battle their way through the loser’s bracket, beginning with a Day 2 match-up against fifth-seeded Northwest Shoals in an elimination game. First pitch from Choccolocco Park with be at 2 p.m. Friday. The winner will stay alive in the tournament and advance to a Saturday afternoon losers-bracket match-up at 4 p.m.