NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Talladega College baseball team picked up a 6-5 win in the rubber game of the series against Dillard University this afternoon. The Tornadoes have won all four GCAC series and are now 17-12 and 8-2 in the conference while Dillard is 7-20 and 3-5 in the GCAC.

Following a scoreless first inning, Dillard plated three runs in the bottom of the second on a pair of hits to go in front, 3-0.

Dillard's lead didn't last long as Talladega posted four runs in the top of the third. With one down, Eddie Velazquez singled, but was thrown out trying to steal second for out number two. Down to their last out, Victor Rivera singled then stole second to keep the inning alive. He later moved to third on a throwing error by the third baseman that allowed Darlin Fernandez to reach first. Fernandez later stole second and Rivera scored off the throw down to second to make it, 3-1.  Fernandez was able to take third on the play. Miguel Oropeza kept the inning going when he was plunked, which sent him to first. A pass ball allowed Fernandez to score to make it 3-2 and send Oropeza to third. Nomar Garcia's RBI single scored Oropeza to tie the game at three.

Garcia then registered back-to-back stolen bases to place him at third. He was able to score off Isaac Guzman's RBI single to give Talladega a 4-3 lead before the inning ended.

The Tornadoes added a run in the top of the fifth to go up 5-3 and another in the top of the top seventh to push the lead to 6-3.

Dillard added two runs in the bottom of the seventh on three hits to make it a one-run game.

The Talladega bullpen allowed two hits and a walk in the last two innings to secure the victory.

Starter Dewinel Vazquez picked up the win for Talladega. He allowed five hits over six innings of work while giving up three runs (all earned) and striking out five in the process.

Reliever Ramses Ortega earned the save. He allowed two hits in two innings of work while fanning four.

Rivera was 3-for-4 with a run scored, a walk, and two stolen bases for Talladega.

Both Oropeza and Garcia combined going 4-for-8 with four runs scored, two RBIs, two doubles, and six stolen bases.

Talladega is back on the road on Tuesday, March 26 when it heads to Tougaloo College to go for the series sweep. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.