By Staff
SHE'S SAFE! MCC's Lindsey Stamm is safe at the plate against EMCC's Alicia Dufour. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Austin Bishop / EMG regional sports director
March 5, 2002
For eight innings East Mississippi Community College and Meridian Community College played fast-pitch softball on even footing.
Unfortunately for the visiting Lady Lions of EMCC they were schedules to play 14.
MCC scored six runs late to win the first game 10-4 at the Northeast Softball Complex, then won the nightcap 9-1 by the run rule.
The sweep improved Meridian to 10-7 on the year, as the Lady Eagles travel to Alexander City, Ala., today to take on arch-rival Central Alabama Community College.
While the Lady Lions fall to 2-8, Moore said that she is not concerned, because it is a path all of her softball teams have taken.
Moore said she intentionally schedules tough teams early for her team.
Four Lady Eagles picked up four hits each to lead Meridian to the 10-4 win in the opener, behind the pitching of Anne McLean.
Stephanie Dixon ripped a homer and single to lead MCC, Layla Brewer had three singles and Krystal Jenkins had a triple and single, while Robin Holland had two singles.
Jessica Vaughn had three singles to lead EMCC, while Kati Fleming had two singles.
MCC scored one run in the bottom of the first and three in the second to go up 4-0 in the first game. EMCC picked up two in the third and two in the fifth to tie the game, before the Lady Eagles scored four times in the fifth and two in the sixth to take the win.
EMCC took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first in the second game, when Jessica Vaughn reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a single off the fence by Kati Fleming.
Meridian tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Morgan Wright ripped a speed double down the right field line, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielder's choice by Dixon.
Dixon singled in Wright to make it 2-1 in the third before the Lady Eagles scored three times in the fourth to go up 5-1. Singles by Jenkins and Dixon and a couple of hit batters sparked the big inning.
Krystal Jenkins ripped a triple and single for MCC, while Morgan Wright ripped a double and single and Stephanie Dixon and Robin Holland belted two singles each.
Keely Rutledge led the Lady Lions with two singles.
EMCC opens MACJC North Division play on Friday when the Lady Lions travel to Goodman to take on Holmes in a 1 p.m. doubleheader.