By Staff
YOU GO GIRL n MCC's Faith Robinson is congratulated by teammate Shanna Blanks after belting a two-run homer in the fifth inning of MCC's 9-1 rout of Wallace Hanceville Tuesday. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
April 4, 2001
The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles returned home from the Central Alabama Tournament only to have to battle more rain clouds.
And even though the rain clouds eventually won again on Tuesday, the Lady Eagles didn't leave Northeast Park a loser.
MCC came within an inning and a half of completing a sweep of the Wallace Hanceville Lady Lions, as the home team held a commanding 8-0 in the bottom of the third when a torrential downpour halted the game for good.
MCC got strong hitting to steamroll the Lady Lions in the opener, 9-1. MCC wasn't able to complete play this weekend at the Central Alabama Tournament, as rain washed out the second day of competition.
The Lady Eagles accomplished both of those things in the opener.
It was only close for a few moments, as the Lady Lions tied the game in the top of the first behind a sacrifice fly from second baseman Missy Stolz that plated Shanette Granstaff to tie the game at 1-1.
But an inning later MCC came up to bat and broke the game open with a four-hit, four-run fourth frame to take control of the contest.
Stephanie Dixon started things off with a triple before Faith Robinson walked. Adcox then rapped a two-RBI triple.
Two outs later, Nicole Jones plated Adcox with a double. Then Lakenya Wilson brought in Robin Holland, who had earlier singled.
Adcox then retired the Lady Lions in order in the top of the fifth.
After Dixon was hit by a pitch, Robinson blasted a homer over the left centerfield fence for the commanding 7-1 lead.
Dixon then completed her big hitting day with a two RBI double up the third base line to complete the scoring.
In the second game, MCC got going quickly in an effort to beat the oncoming rain. MCC starter Ryan Reid got off to a strong start, retiring eight of the first nine batters she faced and striking out four.
The Lady Eagles pounded out six runs in the bottom of the first on five hits and three Wallace Hanceville errors. After Reid struck out the side MCC added two more runs. But the third rain delay proved to be the one that would halt the game for good and despite the big lead, MCC had to settle for just one victory to improve to 21-9.
Her teammate Ryan Reid, the game two starter said she was a little disappointed the rains put a stop to things since she was having a great day on the hill.
Reid said that despite her shaky start this season, her confidence is increasing with every start.
This weekend the Lady Eagles take to the road again, to face off against Georgia Perimeter and Gadsen State. The Lady Eagles will return to Northeast Park April 13 for a two-game set against Gadsen.
Notes: Former Newton County standout and current Utility freshman Jackie Avant will miss the remainder of the season with a torn UCL ligament in her hand. Avant is scheduled to undergo reconstructive surgery Friday in Meridian to correct what she and her doctor describe as a recurring injury that has never fully healed. She will be out approximately eight weeks following the procedure.
Avant said Tuesday she originally injured the left hand which was in a cast two summers ago in State Games basketball.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.