Talladega understands it must prove it can beat quality teams on the road to get back into consideration for the NAIA National Tournament.
The Tornados took a step in that direction by winning at Reinhardt University posting another victory over a ranked opponent. Talladega scored four runs in the first inning in route to a 9-5 victory over the 21st-ranked Eagles.
Talladega plays the toughest schedules among all large and small schools HBCU baseball programs scheduling 20 to 25 games against teams ranked in the NAIA top 25 Coaches Poll.
In the top of the first, Talladega would pick up four runs when Jan Rivera singled to center field, Rafael Diaz singled to right field, Rivera advanced to second. Jeffry Roldan singled Diaz advanced to second, Rivera moved to third. Miguel Oropeza singled, plating Roldan, Diaz and Rivera for an early 3-0 lead. A balk was called on Reinhardt starter Jaily Paredes adding another run Talladega up 4-0.
Talladega added another run in the top of the second inning Roldan sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring Isaac Guzman who earlier in the inning reached base with a single to right field increasing its lead to 5-0.
The bottom of the second inning, Reinhardt scored their first run of the game cutting Talladega’s lead to 5-1.
But the Tornados would answer right back with a run in the top of the fourth inning and three in the fifth inning. The runs in the fifth inning came off the bat of Jose Santiago three run home run for a 9-1 lead.
The Eagles tried to get back in the game, scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and scored their final run in the seventh, but it was not enough as Talladega collects the win.
Four of Talladega’s hitters, Rivera, Roldan, Oropeza, and Santiago had two hits each. Daiz was 5-for-3, Santiago three-run home run and Oropeza three runs batted in completed the scoring.
Talladega used six pitchers in the game to record ten strikeouts. Starter Ramses Ortega in 2.0 innings on the hill struck out five Eagle batters.