GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The path to a national title for the Walters State Senators got a little tougher early Sunday morning  as the Alvin Dolphins pulled out a 13-7 victory in the opening round of the JUCO World Series at Sam Suplizio Field.

 

Alvin won with small ball, putting together several infield hits and five stolen bases to build a big lead and hold on for the win.

 

With the win, the Dolphins improved to 40-16 for the season and will face defending national champion Chipola at 4 p.m. Monday afternoon.

 

The loss snapped the nine game winning streak for Senators as they fell to 54-8 and will face Connors State of Oklahoma at 4 p.m. today in an elimination game.

 

Freshman third baseman Cody Hawn homered and doubled for Walters State while sophomore first baseman Adam Stooksberry homered and singled. Sophomore outfielder Adam Milligan extended his hitting streak to 26 games with a pair of doubles, freshman outfielder Chad Hunter doubled and singled while freshman outfielder Will Skinner and sophomore second baseman Nick Langley each singled twice.

 

Freshman Chad Bell (12-2) was saddled with the mound defeat. The lefthander gave up eight runs (five earned) on eight hits while striking out six and walking two. Fellow freshmen Austin Bridgewater and Spencer Clifft worked in relief of Bell.