By By Robby Atkinson/staff writer
April 4, 2004
COLLINSVILLE Meridian High used a solid pitching performance from Kedric Martin in a 4-1 win last Saturday night over West Lauderdale and one short week later the offense took center stage.
The Wildcats pounded out 12 hits and held off a late surge by the Knights in the fifth inning to take a 9-5 win and take the season sweep of West Lauderdale Saturday night.
Meridian High (15-7) brought plenty of offense. Chris Harris led the first off with an infield single and scored moments later on an RBI single by Rodney Warren to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
MHS extend the lead to 3-0 in the third inning as Tyler McMullen had one of the two long shots of the night for the Wildcats. McMullen delivered a solo home run to deep left center field to give Meridian High a 2-0 lead and Kimone McDade added a run scoring double to give the Wildcats a three-run edge.
Meridian High continued to pile the runs up with three more in the top of the fourth to build the lead to 6-0. Harris and McMullen both had RBI doubles in the fourth inning and the third run scored on a wild pitch.
After taking a 7-0 lead in the fifth inning, the Meridian High pitching staff was having some problems finding the strike zone. The bottom of the fifth inning started with a towering home run to center by Tyler Vick to cut the Meridian High lead to 7-1.
Martin faced five more batters in the inning before handing the ball to relief pitcher Ken Mitts. Martin ended the night with seven strikeouts and only allowed three hits to improve his record to 7-2. Mitts entered the game with the bases loaded and walked in two runs and two more runs scored on an error to make the score 7-5.
After the five-run inning from the Knights, Meridian High answered in a big way to begin the top of the sixth inning. McDade added the final blow of the game with a two-run home run to center to lead the Wildcats to the win.
Corey Hart (5-1) took the loss for West Lauderdale and allowed six runs on nine hits.
Mitts pitched two innings in relief without allowing a hit and collecting four strikeouts as the Meridian High pitching staff held the bats of West Lauderdale to three hits.
Meridian High will return to action Tuesday at home against Murrah and West Lauderdale (19-5) will host Southeast Lauderdale. Both division games are set for 7 p.m.
Earlier in the day West Lauderdale dropped an 8-5 decision at the hands of Louisville.
The Knights managed seven hits in the game as Bo Davis took the loss on the mound. Judd Godwin led the way at the plate with a grand slam homer and Jay Warren added two singles. Austin Davis added three hits, including a double.