MCC plays long ball in sweep

The air show seemed to come early to Meridian Tuesday afternoon, as baseballs were flying out of Scaggs Field at an alarming rate during a doubleheader between Meridian Community College and visiting Alabama Southern.

The Eagles bats had a lot to do with the long ball display, pounding out six homeruns in the two game sweep. MCC scored every inning but the fourth to claim a 13-3 win in the opener before closing out the day with a 12-9 win.

In game one, Scott Mosley, Jarrod Parks and Tyler Koeling all homered for the Eagles in the six-inning contest. Pitcher Jason Judge was the beneficiary of the offensive onslaught, picking up the win on the mound.

Mosley went 3-for-5 in addition to his homerun and Shannon Steed added a 3-for-3 showing of his own. Koeling was 2-for-5 for MCC.

In the nightcap, the MCC offense continued to shine as Koeling and Parks each went deep again and Brent Tanner went 2-for-2 at the plate with a grand slam. Steed once again went 3-for-3, finishing the day with six hits in six at-bats.

Brent Gough notched the win on the hill for MCC.

Now at 17-13 overall, MCC will host Holmes CC on Saturday in their second MACJC Central Division doubleheader.


Other news and notes….

The Meridian Community College softball team will take a break from MACJC Central Division action this week as they travel to Alabama for a three game road trip.

The Lady Eagles began their non-conference play Tuesday when they faced Bevil State. MCC will play Jefferson Davis in Brewton, AL today and wrap up their road trip on Saturday vs, Jefferson State in Birmingham, AL. All games are 1:00 p.m. doubleheaders.

Three Meridian Community College basketball players have been selected as All Stars and will compete in the 2008 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College All-Star Basketball Games that are being held at Choctaw Central High School on Tuesday, April 1.

Reggis Huddleston, NaDosha Strickland and Jennifer Wair of MCC will compete in the event.

MCC tennis is in action on Friday at Itawamba and MCC golf is in action Monday-Tuesday at Kirkwood National Golf Club in Holly Springs, MS.

MCC tennis defeats Faulkner State

The Meridian Community College men’s and women’s tennis teams hosted Faulkner State Community College from Bay Minette, Alabama on Monday, March 24, at Sammie Davidson Complex.

The men’s team won 6-3; the ladies’ team won 9-0.

The men are now 6-3 on the season with a 3-0 division record. The women are 7-3 with a 3-0 division record.

In men’s doubles the men’s duos of Blake Sherman and Nicolas Zabrodiec and Elliott Clark and Dawson Dyess swept the number 1 and 2 courts by scores of 8-2, 8-5 respectively. At number 3 doubles, Justin Newman and Wilson Bounds were defeated in a tiebreaker 7-5. The men won the singles competition at no. 2, 3, 4, and 6. Blake Sherman at 2 defeated Michael Little 6-2, 6-0. At 3 Dawson Dyess defeated Wesley Lamborre 6-4, 6-3. At 4 Elliott Clark defeated Anthony Perrick 6-1, 6-2 and at 6 Joe Otto won 7-6, 6-1. Justin Newman lost the five singles 6-7, 1-6. Nicolas Zabrodiec lost in a three set tiebreak.

In women’s actions the doubles teams of LeMerle/Hartley, Sterling/Shoptaugh, and Webb/Moon won 8-0, 8-1, and 8-2. In singles actions the Lady Eagles lost just eight games on all courts. LeMerle won 0, 1; Sterling won 1, 0; Hartley won 1, 3; Shoptaugh won 0, 0; Daughtrey won 1, 1; and Webb won 0,0.

Both teams will be in action Wednesday at Northeast Tennis Center when they will host Hinds Community College at 1:00 p.m. MCC will travel to Fulton, MS on Friday for a matchup against rival Itawamba CC.

Three MCC basketball players tabbed for All Star game

The state’s top community and junior college sophomore basketball players will be in action Tuesday, April 1 when the annual Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College All-Star Basketball Games are held at Choctaw Central High School in Choctaw.

Game times are 6 p.m. for the women’s contest with men’s competition scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 per person.

Each squad includes 12 All-Stars selected by their respective coaches.

Members of the South women’s team are Kristin Ellis and Reisha Bullock, both of Copiah-Lincoln; Tanesha Brown, East Central; Chiquita Harrison, Hinds; Kate Hubbard, Jones County; Nadosha Strickland and Jennifer Wair, both of Meridian; Keaunda Augustus, Mississippi Gulf Coast; Laterrica Booth, Pearl River; and Whitley Wiltz, Kim Griffin and Phenecia Taylor, all of Southwest.

Serving as head coach is Mark Swindle of Southwest.

The North women’s team includes Jimisha Washington and Cheetara Johnson, both of Coahoma; Shaurice Miller, East Mississippi; Dominique Harris and Ashley Brown, both of Holmes; Jasmine Larry and Keisha Shumpert, both of Itawamba; Tiffany Lawson, Mississippi Delta; Kandi Knupp, Kountess Welch and Erica Grayson, all of Northeast; and Kawanda Martin, Northwest.

Burnadette McDonald of Mississippi Delta is serving as head coach.

Members of the South men’s squad are Greg Truvillon, Corey London and Anthony Wilcher, all of Copiah-Lincoln; Darron Maxtion and Marquis Wilson, both of East Central; Krayleon Winston, Hinds; Jonathan Woodland and Labarton Jones, both of Jones County; Regis Huddleston, Meridian; Luther Suggs, Mississippi Gulf Coast; LeBaron Weathers, Pearl River; and Terrencio Powell, Southwest.

Serving as head coach is Bill Wallace of Southwest.

The North men’s team includes Antywan Jones, Coahoma; Keith James and Jarvis Hill, both of East Mississippi; Jonathan Boyd, Holmes; Kenny McKinney, Santez Johnson and Anthony Brock, all of Itawamba; Walter Howard, Antoine Taylor and Staddrick McDaniel, all of Mississippi Delta; Travis Lee, Northeast; and Donnie Haywood, Northwest.

Derrick Fears of Mississippi Delta is serving as head coach.

The annual All-Star Games are sponsored by the Pearl River Resort, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Pepsi, Mississippi Sports Medicine and East Central Community College in Decatur.

Eagles split with Gulf Coast

The Meridian Community College baseball team split a doubleheader with visiting Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on Friday afternoon at Scaggs Field.

The visiting Bulldogs took game one, 10-8.

The Eagles then bounced back to win game two, 9-5.

MCC is now 15-3 overall and 0-2 in the division.

The Eagles are in the middle of a four-game home stand which started by hosting Gulf Coast. MCC prepares to entertain Alabama Southern Tuesday afternoon at Scaggs Field then Holmes on Saturday and finally wraps up the home stand with rival-East Mississippi next Tuesday (April 1).

MCC softball splits with EMCC

The Meridian Community College softball team split a conference doubleheader with visiting East Mississippi Community College on Friday afternoon.

MCC won the first game 3-2 and lost the second game 4-1.

In game one, Gabrielle Morgan went the distance scattering five hits over seven innings of work.

EMCC scored two runs in the third inning as Danyielle Dore reached on an infield error that was followed by single off the bat of Ashley Clark. Both runners came around to score on a double by Josie Mathews.

MCC scored single runs in the first, third and seventh innings. Three consecutive singles, all with two outs, by Shanese Hunter, Gabrielle Morgan and Whitney Drachenberg produced one run in the first inning for MCC.

In the third inning, De'Miracle Biggs received a walk and reached third on a single by Hunter and passed ball. Biggs scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Gabrielle Morgan.

The game staying tied until the bottom of the seventh when Natalie Parker and LaToya Braxton led off with back to back singles. Parker scored the winning run on a sharp hit ball off the bat of Biggs that was misplayed by an EMCC infielder.

For the game MCC collected eight hits: Hunter and Braxton were both 2 for 3
.
In the second game of the doubleheader, MCC out hit EMCC 13 to 6, but the Lady Eagles committed five errors that helped the Lady Lions scored four runs, of which only two were earned.

MCC stranded eleven runners on the game, seven in the first three innings.

“You can not do that and expected to win games,” said MCC softball coach Robert Eakins.

“We left the bases loaded in the second and third innings. If we pick up a few runs in the first three innings it is a different ballgame and there are more things we can do offensively. Morgan did a great job of limiting the Lions to six hits but we did not give her any support,” added Eakins.

MCC’s lone run came in the sixth inning as Natalie Parker and Brooklyn Williams led off with consecutive singles. Parker later scored on a two out single by Biggs.

For the game De'Miracle Biggs and Constance Jones were 2 for 4 with Brooklyn Williams going 2 for 3.

“My hat is off to EMCC, they did the things they had to do to earn a split,” said Eakins

With the split, MCC is now 3-1 in Central Division action and 7-17 overall. The Lady Eagles sit atop the division tied with Hinds, both teams with a 3-1 record, while ECCC and EMCC are 1-1 and Holmes 0-4.

“We just need to stay focus, keep hitting the ball and play better defense overall the rest of the way in the conference and we should be okay,” added Eakins.

The Lady Eagles will now take a break from MACJC Central Division action this week as they travel to Alabama for a three game road trip.

The Lady Eagles begin their non-conference play Tuesday when they face Bevil State in Sumiton, AL. MCC will then play Jefferson Davis in Brewton, AL on Thursday and wrap up their road trip on Saturday Jeff State in Birmingham, AL. All games are 1:00 p.m. doubleheaders.

Warriors sweep Eagles

By Brandon Walker
assistant sports editor

(DECATUR) - The conditions were daunting.

Taking the mound in game two of a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon, East Central starting pitcher Gregory Stovall had to notice the circumstances.

With winds gusting up to 30 mph and blowing in the direction of left field, homestanding East Central Community College and visiting Meridian had just combined for four home runs in a 10-9 slugfest won by the Warriors in the first game of a doubleheader.

With favorable hitting conditions, the deck seemed stacked against Stovall as he prepared to face potent Eagles' lineup?

Stovall's response? No problem.

Stovall, a sophomore lefty from Neshoba Central High School, turned in a marvelous performance, allowing just three hits in 6.1 innings of shutout baseball, which proved to be just enough to stake East Central to a 2-0 win and a sweep of rival MCC.

"He was tremendous today," remarked ECCC head coach Neal Holliman, who watched his team improve to 16-11 overall and 2-0 in MACJC Central Division play. "He is one of the guys we depend on to give us quality innings every time he goes out there. He has struggled at times, but he gave us exactly what we needed today."

Stovall's shutout capped an intense pair of games between the Eagles and Warriors.

In the opener, a polar opposite from the nightcap, the two teams combined for 20 hits and ECCC rallied from an 8-3 deficit to take a 10-9 win.

MCC out-hit East Central 11-9 in game one, but seven walks from Eagle pitching and three errors would allow East Central the chance to come away with a win.

The Eagles appeared to be in control throughout the early stages, as former West Lauderdale standout Tyler Vick connected on a pair of homers in consecutive innings to give MCC an 8-3 lead.

In the fourth inning, Vick lined a 1-strike pitch from ECCC's Jesus Alaman over the center-field wall for a two-run shot before delivering a three-run blast in the top of the fifth. This one, a towering shot over the left-field wall, gave MCC a commanding five-run lead.

Trailing 8-3, the Warriors immediately responded with a five-run fifth inning. Against MCC reliever Brent Gough, the Warriors began to fight back when Brian Jones doubled in a pair of runs to cut the lead to 8-5, setting the stage for a game-tying, three-run home run off the bat of left-fielder Josh Lafferty which capped the comeback.

"That was the most important inning of the day," Holliman said. "They went up big on us and we came right back with a five-spot. I knew we had to answer in that inning to give ourselves a chance, I just didn't know we'd score five like that."

After MCC's Shannon Steed laced a solo home run in the top of the sixth, ECCC once again rallied, scoring two sixth inning runs to regain the lead.

After Clint Coleman singled to lead off the inning, catcher Chris Parkman delivered an RBI single to tie the score. One batter later, courtesy runner Allen Cheek took off on a steal attempt to second base, allowing Ze'Ericka Hall to score the go-ahead run from third.

When Jones came on in relief and shut the door with a 1-2-3 seventh inning, the Warriors had an unlikely win.

"That was big," Holliman added. "When you look back on these games, they'll just be two out of 16 conference games, but the way we won today really says a lot."

Offensively, Vick led the way with two hits and five RBIs for MCC while Scott Mosely added three singles.

For East Central, Lafferty, Coleman and Parkman had two hits apiece.

While the result in game two was the same, the story was much different.

With Stovall and MCC starter Tyler McMullen locked in a pitchers' duel, the Warriors struck for the only two runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning.

McMullen, a freshman righty from Southeast Lauderdale who reverse transferred from Ole Miss — allowed just five hits and struck out six in six innings, allowed a double from Warrior DH Brandon Williams and a triple from Hall to fall behind 1-0 in the first. Jones pushed the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single that scored Hall.

For his part, Stovall ran into trouble just once, allowing runners to reach first and third in the top of the first before escape without any damage.

"When he got out of the first with no runs, that was huge for our confidence," Holliman added.

Stovall dominated the Eagle bats for more than six innings before handing off to Jones, who retired the final two batters of the game for his second save of the day.

Offensively, Hall had a pair of hits for ECCC.

"It's always big to beat a quality team like Meridian, but we had 14 more conference games to go," Holliman said.

MCC will return home to host Gulf Coast Friday while East Central will host Jones County.

Lady Eagle softball defeats Holmes

The Meridian Community College Lady Eagle softball team went on the road Tuesday afternoon and picked up a sweep in their Central Division opener versus Holmes Community College.

The Lady Eagles defeated Holmes 6-1 in game one and 5-0 in game two.

Sophomore Gabrielle Morgan pitched both games for MCC.

The Lady Eagles are now 2-0 in division action and will host rival East Mississippi on Friday afternoon at Tommy McDonald Field.

MCC baseball to open up divisional play at ECCC

The Meridian Community College baseball team will open up MACJC Central Division action versus East Central Community College on Tuesday afternoon at Decatur.

The Eagles and Warriors will begin play at 3:00 pm from the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex on the campus of ECCC. Two seven inning games are scheduled.

MCC (14-10) swept Kishwauki Community College over spring break to improve their overall record.

ECCC enters the game with a 14-11 record. This will also serve as the Warriors first divisional action of the season.

MCC is the defending six-time defending Central Division champion, while ECCC is the defending MACJC State champions.

MCC claims top-five at Spring Fling

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – The Meridian Community College golf team wrapped up the seventh annual Spring Fling College Golf Tournament with a top five finish after finishing with a two-day total of 605 in Scottsboro, Ala. The Eagles fired 295-310 to tie Wallace (AL) State for 4th place.

105 players from 19 teams representing eight different states competed in the Illinois Central College hosted “Spring Fling” collegiate golf tournament March 13-15 at the Goosepond Colony Golf Course. The “Fling” was slated for three rounds but the final day was canceled due to rain, shortening the event to just 36-holes.

“This is the biggest tournament we’ve played in besides the National Championship,” said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

“To place in the top-five is quite an accomplishment with such a strong field represented here.”

Eagle freshmen Clay Bounds and Joe Konieczny led the way for MCC. Bounds fired a 1-under par 71 in round one and a 7-over par 78 on day two to tie for 12th overall. Konieczny also tied for 12th with rounds of even-par 71 and 6-over par 77.

MCC’s Bryant Self posted rounds of 4-over par 75 and 3-over par 74 to finish tied for 18th in the individual standings.

Scottsboro, Ala native Jarrod Lemaster turned in rounds of 79-81 to also finish t-48th in the event.

Sophomore Curt Sparks shot 83-82 and found himself in a t-63rd.

Central Alabama claimed team honors with rounds of 289-290. Darton (GA) College claimed second with 289-300 and John A Logan (IL) finished third with 298-299. Darton’s Jin Chung took home medalist honors with a two day 1-over par 143 (71-72).

MCC will prep this week for the Itawamba Invitational at Kirkwood National GC on March 31-April 1.

MCC golf prepares for Scottsboro’s “Spring Fling”

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – The Meridian Community College golf team returns to the state of Alabama for the third time during the ‘07-‘08 golf season. The Eagles will participate in the Seventh Annual Spring Fling College Tournament in Scottsboro, Ala., beginning on Thursday, March 13, at the Goose Pond Colony Golf Course and concluding on Saturday, March 15.

MCC opened the 2007-08 season at the NW Shoals (AL) Fall Invitational, played in Muscle Shoals, Ala. area in mid-September. In November the Eagles closed out their fall season with an appearance in the University of Mobile Ram Classic, played in Mobile, Ala.

The 54-hole Spring Fling tournament, which will be played over a three-day span, features nearly 20 teams from across the country.

“This is definitely a strong field this week,” said MCC head golf coach Sean Covich.

Three time-defending national champion Darton (GA) College will be in the field along with five-time NJCAA national champion- Central Alabama. MACJC rival-Mississippi Gulf Coast will also be participating.

“We’ve got some special feelings at this place for a few reasons: this is the same course that hosted the national championship the past three years and it’s the home of one of our sophomores (Jarrod Lemaster), I hope he can give us an advantage,” added Covich.

Lemaster shot 69 (-3) in round two of last year’s NJCAA national championship held at Goose Pond en route to helping MCC claim third at the national championship.

The MCC line up will feature sophomores Lemaster, Bryant Self and Curt Sparks with freshmen Clay Bounds and Joe Konieczny.

The opening round of the event will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday at the par 72, 6,965-yard Goose Pond Course.

MCC’s Huddleston commits to MTSU

Meridian Community College basketball sophomore, Regis Huddleston verbally committed to continue his career at Middle Tennessee State University.

Huddleston, a former Bay Springs standout, led MCC in virtually every offensive category during the 2007-08 season. He averaged over 26 points per game in leading the Eagles to both the MACJC State and NJCAA Region 23 playoffs. MCC finished the season with a 16-11 overall record and a Runner-Up finish in the MACJC South Division with a 9-5 division mark.

MTSU is a member of the NCAA Division 1 and Sun Belt Conference. The Blue Raiders had an 11-7 SBC record and are currently in the quarterfinals of their conference tournament.

MCC baseball travels to Chipola (FL)

The Meridian Community College baseball team is preparing for one of their biggest non-conference showdowns this weekend. The Eagles will travel to Marianna, FL on March 7 and 8 to face the defending Division I national champions, Chipola (FL) College in a four-game set.

Chipola won the NJCAA Division I World Series Championship in Grand Junction, CO last year. The Indians are currently ranked No. 3 in the latest NJCAA DI baseball poll.

MCC, which began the season ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA DII poll, will enter the weekend series vs. Chipola with a 7-7 overall mark. The Eagles swept traditional rival Delgado (LA) Community College last Saturday in a double-header to improve their record.

Following their trip to Chipola, MCC will return home for a three-game home-stand over the Spring Break week. The Eagles will entertain Kishwauki CC on Wednesday, March 12th (2 pm) at and then Coahoma CC on Friday and Saturday, March 14th (4 pm) and 15th (1 pm) at Scaggs Field.

MCC tennis team in action

The Meridian Community College Lady Eagle tennis team will play Wednesday against Snead State in Boaz, AL.

The Lady Eagles are 5-3 on the season after playing at the Central Alabama Tournament this past weekend. MCC competed against four of the top teams in the nation - Tyler (TX), Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (GA), Central Florida, and Florida CC at Jacksonville. The Lady Eagles went 1-3 on the weekend defeating Central FL 8-1. MCC lost to FCCJ 4-5; two or the matches went to a third set tie-break. MCC’s Ashton Hartley, the no. 3 singles player, is 7-1 for the year. Hartley and teammate Alycia LeMerle defeated Tyler CC's no. one doubles team; Hartley/LeMerle lost only one doubles match against ABAC for the weekend. MCC’s Kayla Daughtrey, the no. 6 singles, is 6-2 for the season.

MCC’s men and women will be at Northeast Tennis Center Friday to host ICC at 3:00 and Pearl River Saturday at 2:00.

MCC softball in action at NFCA Classic

The Meridian Community College softball team will participate in the NFCA Leadoff Classic this weekend (Friday thru Sunday) in Panama City, FL.

The Lady Eagles have assigned pool game times on Friday at 12:00 & 2:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. After the completion of all pool games, the participating teams will be seeded and placed in 3 (8-team) brackets for a double elimination tourney starting late Saturday evening. Seeding will be based upon the teams finish in their pool and the strength of the team.

Eagles have 31 turnovers, give away victory

By Brandon Walker
assistant sports editor
The Meridian Star

(CLINTON) — Moments after his team's opening-round game at the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament Tuesday, Meridian Community College head coach George Brooks still had a look of disbelief on his face.

Brooks, in his eighth year at the helm at MCC, had just watched his team commit mistake after mistake before fumbling away an 11-point second half lead en route to a season-ending, 78-72 loss to Bossier Parish (La.) Community College.

Standing outside MCC's locker room immediately following the loss, Brooks knew that just one word summed up his team's performance.

"Turnovers," Brooks remarked after the game, "just way too many turnovers."

His assessment was right on the money.

The Eagles committed a season-high 31 turnovers, including 18 after halftime to allow Bossier City just enough time to make a season-saving push as the Cavaliers finished the game of a 29-12 run to escape with the win.

Despite controlling the game all the way until the 10-minute of the second half, miscues —and missed opportunities — combined to spell the end of MCC's season.

"We couldn't make layups, couldn't make jump shots, couldn't take care of the ball," Brooks said. "We played with enough toughness, we just couldn't hold the ball offensively."

MCC, which led 35-28 at the half, extended that lead early in the second half thanks to hot shooting from guards Regis Huddleston and Otis Williams.

After Huddleston scored 11 and Williams added 10 in the first half, the duo combined to score the Eagles' first eight points of the second half, helping to give MCC its biggest lead at 43-32 with just under 18 minutes left.

That's when the Eagles began to fall apart offensively.

Increased pressure from Bossier City led to nine turnovers in a five-minute span and the Cavs capitalized with a 9-0 run to climb to within one point at 49-48.

Despite dominating on the offensive and defensive glass — Meridian out-rebounded BC 51-31 — the Eagles allowed a bevy of fast-break baskets after turnovers to surrender the lead midway through the second half.

"We let them hang around too long and once they got momentum on their side, it was over," Brooks added. "We can't turn it over that much and expect to be successful at this point of the season."

On a day when MCC's Mario Luckett and Travis Thompson each grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds, Bossier City's Markcus Jackson scored 21 of his 23 points in the second half, including nine in a row to turn a 61-59 deficit into a 68-61 lead with 5:45 remaining.

On the game, Huddleston, sophomore standout from Bay Springs, led the Eagles with 22 points in his final game for MCC. Williams added 19 and Thomas Brown threw up 13 points of his own.

For Bossier City's a quarter of Cavs reached double digits, led by Jackson's 23. Brance Davenport scored 15, Nick Washington added 12 and Tony James scored 10.

With the loss, MCC's season comes to an end with a 16-12 mark.

Lady Eagles lose to Co-Lin in Region 23 Tournament

(CLINTON) - The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles season came to an end after an 80-75 loss to South Division foe-Copiah Lincoln in quarterfinal action of the Region 23 tournament.

MCC and Co-Lin had split a pair of regular season games this year, with each team winning at home, but after last night's victory Co Lin has now won eight of the last nine games between the two teams.

Monday night, Co-Lin led MCC by one point at half, 36-35.

The Lady Wolves out-rebounded MCC 42-34 on their way to advancing in the region tournament. This is the second consecutive year that Co-Lin has ended the Lady Eagles season at regionals. Last year Co-Lin defeated MCC 67-60 in the Region 23 Championship game.

Monday night, the Lady Eagles were led by freshman Tiara Parker who scored 19 points, while sophomore NaDosha Strickland scored 16 points. MCC freshman Jenia Babina added 11 points for MCC while 10 points were added by sophomore Jennifer Wair.

MCC closes out its season with a national ranking, a South Division championship, a MACJC State Runner-Up finish, and a 23-6 overall record.

Co-Lin advances to play Holmes tomorrow night at Mississippi College's A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The MCC men will be in action Tuesday at noon when they face Southern Shreveport in quarterfinal action of the Region 23 men’s tournament.

MCC Golf claims runner-up at ECCC; Lemaster named All Tournament Team

FOREST, Miss. – The Meridian Community College golf team shot a 308 on Monday to finish runner-up at the MACJC Event #2/East Central Spring Invitational held at Forest Country Club Sunday-Monday. All twelve Mississippi Junior College golf teams competed in the event. MCC finished the tournament with a two day team score of 606 (298-308).

The second place finish was MCC’s fifth top-three placing of the 2007-08 season and their second consecutive runner-up finish.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College distanced themselves from the field in the first round, with a 294. On day two the Bulldogs fired a 295 to win the team title by 17 strokes. MGCC’s Matt Hungerman won the individual medalist with rounds of 70-73 (143).

“Give Gulf Coast credit, they beat us by 23 shots at Briarwood, 11 shots last week at Hinds and now 17 shots here. Obviously they are the best team in the state/region right now,” said MCC coach Sean Covich.

Sophomore Jarrod Lemaster was MCC's top finisher, shooting seven-over par for the event. Lemaster finished in fourth place with rounds of 71-78 (149). He was named to the All Tournament team, the third of his career.

Sophomore Michael Burton, a former West Lauderdale golfer, posted steady rounds of 76-76 for MCC to fire a two day total of 152. Former Lamar standout, Jarrod Moulds did likewise, shooting 76-76 (152). Joe Konieczny shot 75-80 (155), while Clay Bounds shot 81-78 (159) to close out MCC’s “Green” team scoring.

Competing on MCC’s B-team was Curt Sparks, 77-77 (154); Ryan Hill, 81-80 (161); Bryant Self, 79-82 (161); John Everett, 79-85 (164); and Taylor McCrary, 85-82 (167).

MCC's next action will come March 13-15 when the Eagles travel to Scottsboro, Ala. to compete in the Seventh Annual Goose pond Spring Fling College Golf Tournament.

Top Five Teams at ECCC…
1. Gulf Coast 589
2. MCC 606
3. Holmes 618
4. ECCC 624
5. Hinds 628

MCC golf team in second after day one of ECCC Inv.

(FOREST) – Meridian Community College’s golf team opened play at the East Central Spring invitational golf tournament with a round of 298. After 18 holes of competition, MCC is in second place on the team leader board just four shots behind rival Mississippi Gulf Coast.

12 teams from across the state are participating. Nearly 70 colligate golfers are entered into the event.

Pacing the Eagles line up on day one was sophomore Jarrod Lemaster. The Scottsboro, Ala.-native opened with an even-par round of 71 and is currently tied for 2nd in the individual standings heading into Monday’s final round.

Freshman Joe Konieczny turned in a round of 75. The Mississippi State transfer is tied for 10th place.

MCC’s Michael Burton and Jarrod Moulds each shot rounds of 76 to start the event and sit in a tie for 18th place.

MCC freshman, Clay Bounds shot an opening round 81 to close out MCC’s A Team scoring.

For the Eagles’ B Team, Curt Sparks led the way with a 77 while Bryant Self and John Everett shot rounds of 79. Ryan Hill posted and 81 and Taylor McCrary shot 85.

Gulf Coast leads the 12-team field after Sunday. The Bulldogs carded a round of 294. MGCCC’s Matt Hungerman leads the individual race with a 1-under par, 70.

Final round of the ECCC Invitational begins Monday at 8 a.m.

MCC Green- (298)
Jarrod Lemaster 71 E
Joe Konieczny 75 +4
Jarrod Moulds 76 +5
Michael Burton 76 +5
Clay Bounds 81 +10

MCC White- (316)
Curt Sparks 77 +6
Bryant Self 79 +8
John Everett 79 +8
Ryan Hill 81 +10
Taylor McCrary 85 +14

Lady Eagles softball swept by visiting Pensacloa JC

Game 1
Pensacola JC 8
Lady Eagles 2

In game one of double-header softball action between Pensacola JC and Meridian, PJC scored five times in the top of the fourth to break a scoreless tie.

MCC got its first two runs on a two-run homer in the sixth from Shanese Hunter, who led the Lady Eagles with two hits. Stephanie Stevens and losing pitcher Gabrielle Morgan (1-5) also had hits in an 8-2 loss to PJC.

Game 2
Pensacola JC 13
Lady Eagles 5


In the nightcap, MCC scored five times in the third inning to go up 5-4, but the Lady Eagles were outscored 9-0 the rest of the way to lose game two, 13-5.

Hunter was 3-for-4 with a double and Chassidy Roberts had a single and triple to lead MCC. Constance Jones and Natalie Parker both had doubles.

Hunter (1-6) was the losing pitcher.

MCC, which is now 2-11, will host Jeff Davis (AL) on Sunday at Tommy McDonald Field.