Allen Delivers Walk-Off as Eagles Top Reid State on Opening Day

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Meridian Community College baseball opened the 2026 season in dramatic fashion Friday afternoon, earning an 8–7 walk-off victory over Reid State in front of a strong Opening Day crowd at Scaggs Field.

Trailing 7–6 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, the Eagles mounted one final rally. Freshman shortstop Brayden Allen delivered the decisive blow, ripping a two-run double to score the winning runs and seal the walk-off win.

The game featured plenty of offense, with Meridian collecting 10 hits and Reid State finishing with 11 in a back-and-forth contest.

Reid State struck first in the top of the fourth inning on a pair of singles. Meridian answered in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game on an error and an RBI single from Allen.

The Lions regained the lead in the fifth, but the Eagles responded immediately. Chris Fox tripled to center field and Cambridge McDaniel followed with an RBI single to give Meridian a 4–3 advantage.

Reid State surged ahead again in the eighth inning, using a bases-loaded walk and a groundout to plate four runs and take a 7–6 lead. The Eagles refused to go quietly, setting the stage for Allen's walk-off heroics in the ninth.

Allen led Meridian at the plate, finishing 3-for-6, while Matthew McKinley added two hits in three at-bats.

On the mound, Conner Moore earned the win for the Eagles, throwing a scoreless inning in relief while striking out one. Vaiden Ellis got the start for Meridian, allowing two runs over three and two-thirds innings, while Aiden Tuura and Ridge Brown also saw time out of the bullpen.

Opening Day festivities added to the atmosphere, as MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.

Head Coach Dillon Sudduth said the opener showcased his team's fight.

"That's a great way to start a season," Sudduth said. "We stayed in it, kept competing, and found a way to win at the end. Brayden came through in a big moment, but that was a total team effort on Opening Day."

The Eagles will next hit the road Tuesday, traveling to Birmingham, Ala., for a doubleheader against Lawson State. First pitch for game one is set for noon.

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