By Staff
From special reports
Feb. 10, 2001
The Meridian Community College Eagles opened their 2001 baseball season Friday with an 11-5 victory over Central Florida Community College in the Okaloosa Walton (Fla.) Community College Tournament.
Central Florida, a participant in last year's junior college World Series, struck early, scoring one in the second, one in the third and three in the fourth.
Meridian answered with three in the fourth, one in the fifth, one in the sixth, two in the seventh, three in the eighth and one in the ninth.
Martin LaRocca was the winning pitcher going seven innings. Curt McLelland pitched the last two. Both Eagle pitchers had two strike outs. Rusty Huggins was the losing pitcher.
Both teams banged out 10 hits.
Leftfielder Roy Thornton belted a two-run homer and a single to pace the Eagles, while rightfielder Travis Garner went three-for-four at the plate, banging out a triple, a double and a single.
Tee Thomas had a double and a single and knocked in 3 RBI's.
Meridian will be back in action at noon today when the Eagles tangle with Miami-Dade Community College.