By By Jeff Byrd/staff writer
March 17, 2002
In a barrage of runs, the Meridian Community College Eagles unloaded on Three Rivers (Mo.) Community College by an incredible final score of 28-5 here on Saturday afternoon at Scaggs Field.
Meridian got its 28 runs off 23 hits and six errors by Three Rivers. The win pushes the Eagles' record to 7-16. Three Rivers falls to 5-10.
The Eagles batted around three times within the first five innings. They scored seven runs in the first, six in the third, two in the third, three in the fourth and 10 more in the fifth. MCC also slugged three home runs.
MCC head coach Mike Federico was glad to see the bats break out.
Twelve different Eagles had at least one hit in the romp. Designated hitter Drew Van Sickle slugged a three-run homer to key the seven-run first. He added a double and a sac-fly to finish with four RBIs.
Nate Sanders had a three-run homer in the second inning and Adam Smith had a two-run shot in the fourth as the Eagles built an 18-2 lead after four.
The game got totally out of hand in the fifth. Lance Dawkins had a pair of two-run doubles in the inning. Four different Eagle pinch-hitters also got hits.
MCC starter Tim Jones pitched three perfect innings before getting tagged for a two-run homer by Chris McClain in the fourth that made it 15-2. Jones went five innings to grab the win. He allowed three runs off six hits. He struck out six.
Smith led MCC at the plate going 3-for-4 with a home run and four runs scored. Tyler Scarbrough had two doubles and drove in three while Dawkins finished with three hit, four RBIs and three runs scored.
Brian Page, Brad McKee and Jake Bell all had two hits. Brent Towne had two hits off the bench.
Teddy Willing took the loss for Three Rivers. He allowed 10 runs off seven hits. McClain had two hits and drove in three to lead TRCC.
The same two teams will meet again today at 2 p.m.