By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
March 7, 2002
Many times it's the little things that matter the most.
The Eagles of Meridian Community College had trouble with the little things as they fell to visiting Pearl River Community College 10-3 in baseball action Wednesday at Scaggs Field.
The Eagles fell behind early once again. After getting strikeouts to start the game, pitcher Justin Rayborn gave up back-to-back doubles by Eric Adkins and Jeff Middleton to fall behind 1-0. Brett Harris singled in Middleton later in the inning to make the score 2-0 after the top of the first inning.
Jake Bell doubled to start the Eagles' half of the inning but was stranded as two hitter struck out and the last out of the inning came on a weak pop-up to short.
The Wildcats struck for another run in the top of the third. After the first two batters struck out, Josh Parker singled and later scored when Harris singled and the Eagles made an error on the play to allow the runner in from first base.
The visitors added three more runs in the fourth inning. Nate Murray got a one-out single to start the rally. Blake Munna doubled and Jake Smith reached on an error that allowed Murray to score. Smith was thrown out at second on a steal attempt but Munna was able to score on the throw down to second. Adkins followed with a two-out double and scored on a double by Middleton to make the score 6-0.
Pearl River starter Chris Thompson took a one-hitter into the seventh inning when the Eagles finally got on the board. Sophomore catcher Trave Hopkins took a pitch deep to left for his first homer of the season to make the score 6-1.
The Eagles were unable to scratch back into the game as the Wildcats put some insurance runs on the board in the eighth. Jason Santiago got to second on an Eagle throwing error to start the inning. Harris singled to move the runner over and Santiago later scored on a wild pitch. Murray walked to give the Wildcats runners at first and second. Munna followed with a groundball to the pitcher who tried for the runner at third but threw the ball wide of the bag, allowing the runner to reach safely.
Harris scored on a singled by Adkins and Murray scored on a wild pitch to make the score 9-1. Munna later scored on a sacrifice fly by Justin Gros.
The Eagles were able to score two runs in the eighth on a single by Hopkins. Philip Garrett and Lance Dawkins scored on the bases-loaded single by Hopkins. Meridian left two runners stranded in the inning and fell 10-3 the Wildcats of Pearl River.
The Eagles fall to 5-11 on the season and Pearl River improves to 9-2 with the victory. MCC will be in action again today as they host Lincoln Trail (Ill.) at 2 p.m.