By By Jamie Sullivan/staff writer
April 14, 2002
The Meridian Wildcats used a wild second inning to romp the visiting Columbus Falcons Saturday afternoon. The Cats won the decision 15-2.
The Cats started the second inning, when Torrie Bates had a lead-off single, followed by John Iverson reaching base on a hit-by-pitch. Pierre Henderson was also hit-by-pitch, loading the bases for Rickey McMillian and giving Meridian a 1-0 lead. The Cats went on to bat around in the line-up not once, but twice allowing them to score 14 runs on seven hits.
The Falcons picked up one of their runs in the third inning, when Richard Childrey singled and was later driven in by Stephen Pusha, to cut the deficit to 14-1.
Iverson picked that run up for the Wildcats in the bottom of the third inning, when McMillian hit a sacrifice fly to the outfield to score Iverson form second base.
Columbus picked up its final run in the fourth inning, when Taylor Valentine was driven in by Childrey, to make the score 15-2.
Gary Hodges suffered the loss, while Torrie Bates picked up the win for the Cats.
Meridian was led in hitting by Bates with a pair of singles and Bobby Stone, Richmond Alexander, and Maurice Cole with a double apiece.
Meridian is slated to play Southeast Lauderdale on Monday for the last regular season game. Meridian will host Petal in the first round of the Class 5-A State playoffs.