Eagles Run-Rule No. 1 East Central, Complete Statement Sweep
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
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0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 14 | 1 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
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0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 7 | 8 | 0 |
MERIDIAN, Miss. — Meridian Community College baseball delivered one of its biggest performances of the season, sweeping No. 1 ranked East Central in a conference doubleheader Tuesday and Wednesday at Scaggs Field.
The Eagles opened with a 13-3 run-rule victory in seven innings in game one before holding off a late rally to take game two 7-6, completing the sweep of the top-ranked team in the NJCAA. With the wins, Meridian improves to 16-16 overall and 4-10 in MACCC play.
Tuesday's action also featured a special moment as Meridian Mayor Percy Bland threw out the ceremonial first pitch in front of the home crowd at Scaggs Field.
Game One – Eagles Explode Early
Meridian wasted no time setting the tone, erupting for five runs in the second inning. Nate Trochessett got things started with an RBI single before Harlin Hovater launched a grand slam to give the Eagles a commanding 5-0 lead.
East Central got on the board in the fourth, but Tyler Johnson responded in the fifth with his team-leading 12th home run of the season, a solo shot to right field. Meridian extended its lead to 7-1 after five innings.
The Warriors added two runs in the sixth, but the Eagles answered again with an RBI double from Cambridge McDaniel to make it 8-3.
Meridian put the game away in the seventh, plating five runs to secure the run-rule victory.
On the mound, Vaiden "Moose" Ellis earned the win, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing three runs while striking out one. Conner Moore closed it out with 1.1 scoreless innings, striking out two.
The Eagles finished with 14 hits and 13 RBIs in the dominant opener.
Game Two – Eagles Hold Off Late Surge
Game two began in similar fashion, with Meridian striking first in the second inning on an RBI double from Graham Jackson.
The Eagles broke the game open in the third, scoring six runs behind a balanced offensive attack. Hovater added an RBI double, Trochessett delivered a two-RBI single, and Jackson capped the inning with a two-run home run to give Meridian a 7-0 lead.
Play was halted in the bottom of the fourth inning due to lightning and resumed the following day.
When action resumed Wednesday, both teams were held scoreless until the final inning, when East Central mounted a late comeback attempt, scoring six runs to cut the deficit to one.
With momentum shifting, Hunter Parker stepped in and shut the door, preserving the 7-6 victory and securing the sweep.
Aiden Tuura got the start and earned the win, tossing four scoreless innings with three strikeouts before the bullpen took over following the delay.
Meridian totaled eight hits and seven RBIs in game two.
Head Coach Dillon Sudduth was relieved and proud following the statement wins.
"Our guys really came together," Sudduth said. "It's been a tough season at times, but to come out and compete the way we did against the No. 1 team in the country says a lot about this group. It was a big week for us."
The Eagles will now take a break over the Easter holiday before returning to Scaggs Field for a non-conference matchup against Florida Post Grad on Monday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
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