SHREVEPORT, La.  – The No. 4 Talladega College baseball team rallied on two late solo home runs to win 6-5 in extra innings against No. 1 LSU Shreveport in the NAIA Opening Round. With the win, the Tornadoes advance to the championship section of the bracket tomorrow.

The Tornadoes garnered their 40^th win to improve to 40-16 while the Pilots moved to 42-10.

Talladega took an early 2-0 lead after the first inning and added a run in the top of the third to go up, 3-0. The Pilots in their half of the third plated a pair of runs on a two-run home run to cut the lead to one.

LSU Shreveport was able to tie the game in the fifth on a hit, two fielder's choices, and a pair of walks.  

The game didn't stay tied long as Talladega used a double and a few Pilot miscues to push a run across and go up 4-3 in the top of the seventh. The Pilots responded in the bottom of the frame as it reclaimed the lead 5-4 when they plated a pair of runs on four hits.

Down to their final three outs, the Tornadoes had their two, three, and four hitters up to start the top of the ninth. Leading off was Miguel Oropeza, who has had a hot bat all season and leads the team in home runs and batting average as he parked a solo shot over the right-field wall to tie the game at five.

The Pilots had the game-winning run on third in the bottom of the ninth but were unable to score him as the Tornadoes were able to send the game to extra innings.

Talladega's Armando Jackson leadoff the tenth with a home run over the left-field wall to put the team back in front at, 6-5.

LSU Shreveport threatened once again as the tying run reached on a walk but was unable to come around and score as Talladega held on for the win.

Starting pitcher Samuel Guadamuz scattered six hits over 5.1 innings while allowing just three runs (all earned). He fanned five in the process. Reliever Helson Fernandez picked up the win (2-2). He allowed a walk and struck out one in an inning and two-thirds of work.

Oropeza finished the game going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, two home runs, and two runs scored. Teammate Jackson was 2-for-4 with a home run, a run scored, an RBI, and a stolen base.

Darlin Fernandez tallied two doubles while scoring a pair of runs for Talladega.

Talladega will face No. 3 Kansas Wesleyan tomorrow on Day 3 of the NAIA Opening Round. First pitch is set for 10 a.m.