By By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
April 18,2001
SCOOBA Maybe in retrospect, the East Mississippi Community College Lady Lions will look back on Tuesday's doubleheader and realize that playing a team the caliber of Meridian Community College will be beneficial.
For now, however, it will simply be regarded as a thorough whipping.
Robert Eakins' Lady Eagle squad continued its strong midseason roll with a sweep of the host Lady Lions, winning the first game, 3-1, then running away with it in the closer, 12-1.
With the sweep, the Lady Eagles ran their record to 27-9 and haven't lost in eight outings, dating back to last month.
For the Scooba Lady Lions, the consolation that they were beaten by an improving team may not be that soothing.
EMCC (7-14, 6-4) still has a good shot in the North Division, as they are currently tied for second.
But the Lady Eagles spotted them a run in the first game, before MCC responded in the top of the second with three more. Jessica Vaughn doubled and eventually came home on a passed ball.
Down 1-0, Aree Jenkins got on base with a walk before Nicole Jones, LaKenya Wilson and Dreka Shumpert all rapped out hits.
Ryan Reid improved to 9-7 on the season by allowing only two hits, while striking out eight Lady Lion batters.
MCC 12, EMCC 1: The Lady Eagles chipped away with three runs in both the first and third innings on the way to their eighth straight.
Jones, and Layla Brewer each had big extra-base hits and Shanna Blanks connected for three hits, as MCC ballooned a 7-1 lead into the final margin in the top of the seventh.
Amy Adcox hurled a two-hitter to improve to 18-2.
The sophomore said she thought the squad was rounding into form, especially from a mental standpoint.
That could be key as the Lady Eagles play host to perhaps one of their biggest opponents all season in Central Alabama Thursday, ironically a team that handed MCC its last loss, a 10-2 setback on March 30.
Right now, we seem to be hitting a lot better and that's what's it's going to take for us to do well in these next few games," Adcox said. She also admitted that the upcoming contest was one the whole team was looking forward to. "We're really ready to play and it's going to take us showing up and really proving it."
And as for what can be perceived as a new outlook by the club?
Richard Dark is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.