By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
March 19, 2004
The Meridian Community College Eagles had their backs against the wall on Thursday afternoon in the second game of its doubleheader with Jefferson (Mo.) College.
MCC trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, but plated five runs to take a 5-2 win and earn a sweep over the Vikings. The Eagles rolled to a 12-0 win in the opener.
The only run that stood out on the scoreboard for much of the second game came in the second inning for Jefferson College. Grant Staniszewski delivered a solo home run with one out in the inning off the left side of the scoreboard to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
MCC starting pitcher Dusty Davis pitched five innings for the Eagles and allowed one earned run on just two hits to get the no decision.
Jason Phillips once again came on in relief for the Eagles and has now appeared in six games from the bullpen. Phillips only pitched one inning for MCC, but the sophomore earned the win to improve to 5-1.
MCC finally found some runs in the sixth inning to take the lead for good as team captain Ricky Newman delivered the go ahead base hit. MCC loaded the bases with no outs. Kyle Ginn forced in one run when he was hit by a pitch. Newman followed with an RBI single to give the Eagles their first lead at 2-1.
The coaching staff then decided to roll the dice as Michael Murray successfully executed a suicide squeeze bunt which scored another run to extend the lead to 3-1. The final two runs of the inning scored thanks to a careless throwing error at second base.
Jefferson scratched for one more run in the seventh on an RBI single by Matthew Goyea.
Meridian CC 12
Jefferson College 0
The Eagles scored five runs in the first inning and six runs in the fourth to cruise to the victory over the Vikings.
Murray led off the first with a walk and Van Pope followed with a single to put runners at first and third. Joey Lieberman drove both runs in on a triple off the wall in right to give MCC a 2-0 lead.
Aaron George followed the triple with a walk and Josh Morgan added a three-run homer to right center to extend the lead to 5-0. The Eagles added one run in the third to take a 6-0 lead.
Sam Self started the inning with a single to left and Ginn drove a double off the wall in the right center to plate the run.
MCC put the game away with a six spot in the fourth. Pope highlighted the inning with a three-run homer. Murray added an RBI single in the sixth.
Chris Rayborn (3-0) picked up the win on the mound for the Eagles by pitching five innings, allowing only three hits.
MCC travels to Brewton, Ala. for a doubleheader against Jefferson Davis today at noon. The Eagles host Sinclair College in a doubleheader at Scaggs Field on Sunday at 3 p.m.