TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -  The Talladega College baseball team split a conference doubleheader with a 19-2 win in game one and an 8-6 loss in game two to Stillman College on the road this afternoon. Game three of the series will be played on April 9 at 3 p.m.

Talladega is now 24-10 and 18-2 in the HCBUAC, while Stillman moves to 13-18 and 12-8 in the conference.

Talladega is back home on Tuesday when it hosts Point University at 1 p.m.

Game 1: Talladega 19, Stillman 2 – 7 innings
The Tornadoes took a 1-0 lead into the top of the third and plated five runs on four hits. It started when Sebastian Pizarro reached first on an infield single to second. He was later out at second when Victor Rivera hit into a fielder's choice.  Rivera later moved to third when Miguel Oropeza dumped a single into left. Both runners executed a double steal that allowed Rivera to score to make it 2-0 and allowed Oropeza to reach second. Jahir Cruz's RBI single to left scored Oropeza to push the lead to 3-0 with one out. Following a pop out to first, Cruz later scored off Darlin Fernandez's two-run shot over the left center field wall to go up, 5-0. 

With two outs, Armando Jackson kept the inning alive when he reached first on an error by the Stillman third baseman.  He later stole both second and third, then scored off a balk to push the lead to 6-0 before the inning ended.

Talladega broke the game open in the fourth when it scored 11 runs to take a 17-0 lead.

Stillman added a run in the fifth and the seventh while the Tornadoes tacked on two more in the sixth.

The Tornado pitchers combined allowed three hits, two runs while striking out three to lock down the win.

Starting pitcher Emilio Duque picked up the win to go to 6-1 on the season. He scattered two hits over six innings of work while allowing a run and striking out five.

Cruz finished the game going a perfect 5-for-5 with seven RBIs and a run scored. He tallied a double and a stolen base in the process.

Teammate Rivera was 4-for-5 with five runs scored, two stolen bases, and a double, while Oropeza and Fernandez combined to go 5-for-9 with four RBIs, five runs scored, a home run, a double, and a stolen base.

Game 2: Talladega 6, Stillman 8 – 7 innings
Trailing 4-0 going into the top of the third, Talladega was able to cut the lead in half, and it started when Pizarro singled and Rivera doubled. Both runners later scored off Oropeza's double to left field to cut the lead to 4-2.

The Tornadoes in the fifth took a 6-4 lead when Isaac Guzman hit a grand slam to left center with two outs.

Stillman made it a one-run game in its half of the fifth and then took the lead in the sixth when it plated three runs to go in front 8-6.

The Stillman bullpen allowed just two runners to reach in the final two innings to secure the win.

Talladega reliever Jack Wood took the loss (0-1). He allowed one run and three walks while striking out one in an inning of work.

Pizarro and Rivera were 4-for-7 combined with two runs scored and a double.

Oropeza, Cruz, Fernandez, and Guzman each tallied a hit apiece.