By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
March 7, 2004
QUITMAN Meridian High senior pitcher Ken Mitts tossed his second no-hitter of the young season Saturday to pace the Wildcats to a 5-1 prep baseball victory over the Quitman Panthers.
Meridian High School ups its record to 4-3 while Quitman falls to 3-4. It was a long day for the Panthers who dropped a 15-1 decision to West Lauderdale earlier in the day.
"Mitts pitched a fine game," MHS Vince McLemore said. "He is a senior who is very focused on all aspects of the game. He has pitched well this year."
Meridian got on the scoreboard in the top of the first. Designated hitter Randy Dively led off with a single, and later Tyler McMullen walked. Mitts then singled in Dively and Cordero Eason singled to score McMullen.
Quitman got on the scoreboard in the third inning when Jayme Smith scored during a rundown, making the score 2-1.
Then Meridian scored a run in each of the last three innings. Kedrick Martin slammed a home run, making the score 3-1 in the fifth. Eason walked and scored on a fielder's choice. And Kimone McDade hammered another solo homer in the seventh over the left field fence.
"Our pitching wasn't bad," said QHS coach Brett Rigby. "But we didn't do anything to support him. Meridian has a good club and Mitts located the ball well tonight."
Mitts, now 2-1, finished the night with 11 strikeouts while Terrance Lafferty fanned seven Wildcats while taking the loss.
Meridian, 0-1 in division play, visits league-rival Brandon Tuesday night.