By By Will Price/Special to The Star
March 7, 2001
The Meridian High Wildcats had 14 hits as they took a six inning 12-2 victory over the Philadelphia Tornadoes Tuesday night.
Jason Spinks got the win and is now 1-0, while the loss was charged to Ty Culpepper, who fell to 1-2. Spinks struckout nine in 51/3 innings, while the Wildcats gave up only seven hits,
Meridian improved to 5-4, with the victory, while the Tornadoes are now 3-2.
The Wildcats will host Brandon on Friday, while Philadelphia travels to St. Andrew's, also on Friday,
Multiple hitters for Meridian included Kris Barnett, with three, two being doubles; John Iverson, with three; Richmond Alexander, with two, and Lance Burnham, with two. Sanduan Dubose, Tory Bates and Burnham, each doubled for the Wildcats.
Tyler Threadgill and Jonathan Booker had two hits each for Philadelphia.
The Wildcats took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, when Chris Roberts, running for John Stevens, and Dubose, and Barnett, all crossed the plate.
Alexander and Greg Harris scored in the second inning, making the Wildcats' lead 5-0.
In the third, Iverson walked and scored on Bates' double, making it 6-0.
Dione Hampton, running for Stevens, scored on the fourth, as did Barnett and Iverson, making the Wildcats' lead 9-0.
The Tornadoes didn't go down easy as they battled for two runs in the fifth. Hunter Holley scored the first run, followed by Threadgill crossing the plate.
Meridian then got the three runs they needed in the sixth, when Barnett and Iverson both reached on singles. After an out, Burnham singled home Barnett. Another out, brought Ricky McMillian to the plate, who lined a drive to the wall, scoring Iverson and Burnham.