The Talladega College baseball team delivered an explosive offensive performance Tuesday afternoon, defeating Faulkner University 14-4 in a single nine-inning contest at Silsby Field.
The Tornadoes (3-12) scored early and often, plating runs in six different innings while collecting 11 hits and capitalizing on five Faulkner errors.
Talladega jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Yoangel Ramos drove in the first run with an RBI single to third base, followed by another RBI single from Manuel Martinez. Adrian Epps added an RBI groundout to cap the three-run inning and give the Tornadoes a 3-0 advantage.
The Tornadoes extended the lead in the second inning as Jonathan Williams scored after stealing third and crossing the plate on a throwing error. Joshua Catala Santos followed with an RBI groundout to make it 5-0.
Talladega continued to build momentum in the middle innings. Williams delivered an RBI single in the third inning to score Epps, and Victor Rivera doubled down the left-field line in the fourth to bring home Sebastian Pizarro, stretching the lead to 7-0.
Faulkner (11-6) responded in the fifth inning with four runs. The Eagles loaded the bases before Jordan Carter was hit by a pitch to score a run. CJ Robertson followed with a bases-loaded walk, and Dariel Colón delivered a two-run single to cut the deficit to 7-4.
Talladega answered in the bottom half of the inning when Eli Payne scored on a Faulkner fielding error to push the lead to 8-4.
The Tornadoes added two more runs in the seventh inning. Adrian Epps doubled to left-center to score Ramos before Payne followed with an RBI single to bring home Epps.
Talladega sealed the victory with a four-run eighth inning. Victor Rivera delivered an RBI single before Armando Jackson launched a three-run home run to left-center field, extending the lead to 14-4.
Rivera finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Jackson drove in three runs highlighted by his eighth-inning home run. Epps added two RBIs, and Williams recorded two hits with an RBI in the win.
On the mound, Luis Perdomo started for Talladega and worked 4.2 innings, allowing three hits and four runs while striking out six. Edward Mendoza recorded an out in relief before Dewinel Vazquez Oquendo closed the game with three scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out three.
Talladega's aggressive baserunning also played a key role in the win as the Tornadoes recorded multiple stolen bases and consistently pressured the Faulkner defense.
The Tornadoes will now turn their attention to conference play as Talladega opens HBCUAC competition this weekend. The Tornadoes will travel to Stillman College for a three-game conference series scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
