No. 19 Eagles Split MACCC Opener with Co-Lin at Scaggs Field
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MERIDIAN, Miss. — The 19th-ranked Meridian Community College baseball team opened MACCC play Tuesday by splitting a doubleheader with Copiah-Lincoln at Scaggs Field. The Eagles rallied to win game one 10-7 before falling in game two 4-0, moving to 13-7 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
Game One – Eagles Rally with Late Power Surge
Copiah-Lincoln struck first in the third inning, scoring just before Meridian turned a double play to end the threat. The Eagles responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning when Tyler Johnson launched a two-run home run to give Meridian a 3-1 lead heading into the fourth.
The Wolves answered quickly with a three-run home run in the fourth to reclaim the lead at 4-3. Copiah-Lincoln added two more runs in the sixth to extend its advantage to 6-3.
Meridian began its comeback with a pair of back-to-back home runs in the sixth from Nate Trochessett and Harlin Hovater, cutting the deficit to 6-5.
The Eagles completed the rally in the seventh inning. Cambridge McDaniel doubled to score Chris Fox, tying the game at 6-6. Moments later, Jacob Driver blasted a three-run home run to give Meridian a 9-6 lead. The Eagles added an insurance run and held on to secure the 10-7 victory.
Thomas Mitchell started on the mound for Meridian, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing four runs on three hits while striking out two. The Eagles turned to the bullpen with Ridge Brown and Hunter Parker bridging the middle innings before Matthew McKinley earned the win. McKinley tossed 3.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four.
Game Two – Wolves Even the Series
Game two proved to be a tougher matchup for Meridian as reigning MACCC Pitcher of the Week Wes White delivered a dominant performance for Copiah-Lincoln.
White went the distance for the Wolves, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing six hits and striking out seven batters.
Vaiden Ellis got the start for Meridian, pitching five innings and allowing four runs on four hits while striking out three. Conner Moore provided a bright spot out of the bullpen, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and no hits allowed.
Offensively, Meridian managed six hits in the contest, including a double from Brayden Allen, but could not generate enough offense in the loss.
Head Coach Dillon Sudduth was pleased to start conference play with a win and credited Copiah-Lincoln's pitching performance in the second game.
"It's always good to start conference play with a win," Sudduth said. "You have to tip your cap to their pitcher in game two, he threw a great game. We've got a lot of work to do moving forward, but it's exciting that conference play is underway."
With four home runs in game one, the Eagles now have 33 home runs on the season, surpassing last year's team total of 28. Meridian also entered the game ranked third in the NJCAA in team batting average.
The Eagles will continue MACCC play Saturday when they travel to Fulton to face Itawamba Community College in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.
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