MCC tennis adds West Jones standout

The Meridian Community College tennis team added a piece to their 2009 recruiting class with a stop at West Jones High School in Laurel, MS on Tuesday.

Cade Sherman of Laurel signed a national letter of intent to play for Coach Wanda McPhail and the MCC tennis team.

Sherman is the three time defending District 7-4A singles champion, having won his freshman, sophomore and junior years. He is a two-time MHSAA State 4A semifinalist as a Mustang. Currently ranked in the Mississippi Junior Tennis poll in the top 25, Sherman qualified for nationals as part of his junior tennis team last year.

Sherman is the younger brother of former MCC tennis star, Blake Sherman. He is the son of Richard and Lyn Sherman of Laurel.

“Cade will add talent to an already strong returning group of sophomores,” said MCC tennis coach, Wanda McPhail.

“He is an outstanding young man and an excellent student.”

West Jones golfer inks with MCC

The Meridian Community College golf team added piece to their 2009 recruiting class with a stop at West Jones High School in Laurel, MS on Tuesday.

J.T. Soley of Laurel signed a national letter of intent to play for Coach Sean Covich and the MCC golf team.

Soley led the Mustangs to first place in the MHSAA State 4A golf championship and the District 7-4A championship as a junior. Individually, he was runner-up in both the MHSAA State 4A tournament shooting 76-74 and the District 7-4A tournament shooting 74.

Soley played on the Mississippi Junior Golf Tour in 2008. He won the Pine Belt Junior Event at Laurel Country Club shooting a 1-under par 71. On the MJGA Tour he claimed a top five finish (4th) at the State Games of Mississippi event held at Northwood Country Club. He shot rounds of 73-75 to finish fourth out of 50 junior golfers. He also claimed another top ten at the MJGA Sunkist Country Club Event in Biloxi, MS as he shot a 76 to place sixth. In the Mississippi Boys’ Junior Amateur Golf Championship at MSU Golf Course, he fired final rounds of 76-75.

Soley was a standout for Benton (LA) High School his freshman and sophomore years before moving back to the Laurel area. While a sophomore for BHS, he helped win the 3A Regional team championship as he shot 75 and claimed runner up in the 3A Regional tournament. He finished in the top five (4th) at the 2006 Louisiana 4A State Championship. He also claimed first in the Shreveport-Bossier Junior Tour Players Challenge and won the Palmetto Junior Club Championship in Benton, LA.

“JT is a hard worker and seems to be very consistent in his tournament scoring,” said Covich.

“He’s also a great student and will be a leader for us in the classroom.”

He is the son of Joey and Renae Soley of Laurel.

Soley joins San Antonio, TX junior golfer, Adam Monsen as the first two signees for MCC's 2009-2010 golf team.

Meridian hopes season ends with another trip to JUCO

By PATRICK BAHR/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Gracing the first two National Junior College Athletic Association national baseball polls has been a familiar name.

For the second week in a row, Meridian (Miss.) Community College has been earning votes.

Although the Eagles have yet to crack the top 20 teams, Meridian is 22-10 and has again received votes in the national poll, which was released Wednesday.

Meridian is playing at the Division I level after three season at Division II. Before the 2006 season, every community college in Mississippi dropped to D2 and the Eagles followed suit.

“This is our first year back and we are trying to make a statement,” Meridian coach Chris Rose said.

The Eagles are looking to add to their seven appearances in the Alpine Bank JUCO World Series between 1993-2004.

“When we bring a guy onto campus and they see the seven World Series plaques, they know that is what we are all about,” Rose said. “If you play here and you don’t go, that team is kind of forgotten about.”

This current group at Meridian hopes not to be forgotten about at 12 games above .500 and riding an eight-game winning streak. Rose said the team is strong but has struggled at times in the field.

“This group has been a little feast or famine,” Rose said. “We have lost nine one-run games and in seven of those, we have had more than one error.”

The Eagles are in Region 23, which is made up of only Meridian, Delgado (La.) Community College and Baton Rouge (La.) Community College. If Meridian makes it out of the Region, it will play in the South Central district tournament, which will includes the winner of Region 2 (Oklahoma) and Region 16 (Missouri) tournaments.

“Our key is going to be defense,” Rose said. “I believe we can swing the bats with anyone and pitching depth I can’t imagine teams that have more than we do.”

Around the rest of the top 20 poll, Howard (Texas) College is at the No. 1 spot for the second straight week at 24-0. The Hawks are second in the nation with a .404 batting average.

Yavapai (Ariz.) College, the 2006 JUCO runner-up, stayed at No. 2, with Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) College jumping two spots up to No. 3.

Young Harris (Ga.) College, Miami Dade College, Central Arizona College, Johnson County (Kan.) Community College and Broward (Fla.) College make up the next five spots, followed by Wallace State (Ala.) Community College-Hanceville, which dropped from No. 4 to No. 9 after going 1-3 this past week.

Panola (Texas) College moved up five spots to crack the top-10.

Newcomers to the top 20 this week include Hagerstown (Md.) Community College and 2007 champion Chipola (Fla.) College.

The big drop was Connors State (Okla.) College, which dropped out of the top 20 after being at No. 6 in last week’s poll.

MCC golf team places second at Spring Fling

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — The Meridian Community College golf team fired a 293 team score in the final round of the 8th Annual Spring Fling College Classic and came up just one stroke short of three-time NJCAA national champion Darton (Ga.) College.

MCC used 1-over par rounds from freshmen Cory Williamson and Garrett Westbrook as the duo shot 72 on the final day. Sophomores Clay Bounds and Jarrod Moulds continued their steady play this week as Moulds fired a 3-over 74 and Bounds shot a 4-over 75. Tanner Sparks shot a final round 5-over 76 for MCC.

"It was a great effort for the guys to play with the top teams in the nation," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"We proved to ourselves that we belong on the national scene and can compete with anyone, but still this one hurts a little losing by just one shot."

Darton won the team championship shooting 875 (292-292-291). MCC claimed runner-up with an 876 (286-297-293). Tyler (Texas) was third with an 877 (292-293-292), South Mountain (Ariz.) was fourth with an 879 (288-296-295) and Central Alabama rounded out the top five with an 883 (296-296-291).

The effort was MCC's fourth runner-up finish of the season and third in the past four events.

"We're continuing to put ourselves in position to win and that's what you have to do this time of the year," said Covich. "The 286 was our best since 2007 and this tournament was our best effort of the year."

The Eagles had the best score of any NJCAA DI team, defeating Central Alabama, Wallace State-Hanceville and Walters State (TN).

“This event should give us some momentum heading into the NJCAA District V and the NJCAA DI National Championship.”

Westbrook ended the event at 3-over, shooting 72-72-72 and finished in a tie for fourth place to earn his third All-Tournament honor.

Bounds (66-77-75) and Moulds (74-70-74) both finished 5-over and in a tie for ninth place. Moulds was also named to the All Tournament team after a scorecard playoff. Williamson finished 12-over, shooting 75-78-72 and tied for 30th. Sparks finished with a 15-over using rounds of 74-78-76 to finish in 40th place.

MCC will take a break and their next action will be in April when they play in the NJCAA District V Championship at Terri Pines Country Club in Cullman, Ala.
Spring Fling Tournament
Goose Pond Colony
Scottsboro, AL
Dates: 3/19-21/2009
Par 71, 7063 yards
Team Standings
Rank Team Scores Total
1 Darton (GA) College Cavaliers 292 292 291 875 +23
2 Meridian (MS) CC Eagles 286 297 293 876 +24
3 Tyler (TX) JC Apache 292 293 292 877 +25
4 South Mountain (AZ) CC Cougars 288 296 295 879 +27
5 Central Alabama CC Trojans 296 296 291 883 +31
6 John A. Logan (IL) Voluneteers 293 299 297 889 +37
7 Wallace (AL) State Coll Lions 301 294 301 896 +44
8 Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldog 298 300 304 902 +50
9 Walters (TN) State CC Senators 301 306 300 907 +55
10 U. of Ark-Fort Smith Lions 300 301 310 911 +59
11 Grand Rapids CC Raiders 316 296 305 917 +65
12 Shawnee (IL) CC Saints 307 313 302 922 +70
13 Rend Lake (IL) Coll Warriors 310 300 320 930 +78
14 Black Hawk (IL) College Braves 316 308 311 935 +83
15 Mott CC Bears 308 318 311 937 +85
16 Vincennes (IN) U. Trailblazers 311 327 318 956 +104
17 Illinois Central Coll Cougars 318 321 320 959 +107
17 Springfield (IL) Coll Bulldogs 329 315 315 959 +107
19 Parkland (IL) College Cobras 321 324 327 972 +120
20 Kaskaskia (IL) Coll Blue Devil 309 349 325 983 +131
21 Muskegon CC Jayhawks 327 329 329 985 +133
22 Georgia Military Coll Bulldogs 334 331 323 988 +136
23 Lincoln (IL) College Lynx 331 345 330 1006 +154
24 SW Illinois College Blue Storm 341 329 337 1007 +155

Darton (GA) College Cavaliers 292 292 291 875 +23 1st
An, Lion 71 72 73 216 +3 t-4th
Hanna, Evan 73 72 72 217 +4 t-7th
Lewis, Andy 74 75 71 220 +7 t-14th
Chung, Jin 74 73 75 222 +9 t-19th
Cone, Josh# 74 75 74 223 +10 t-24th
Elrod, Aaron# 78 75 74 227 +14 t-39th
Purcell, Ridge 76 80 80 236 +23 t-64th



Meridian (MS) CC Eagles 286 297 293 876 +24 2nd
Westbrook, Garrett 72 72 72 216 +3 t-4th
Bounds, Clay 66 77 75 218 +5 t-9th
Moulds, Jarrod 74 70 74 218 +5 t-9th
Williamson, Cory 75 78 72 225 +12 t-30th
Sparks, Tanner 74 78 76 228 +15 41st



Tyler (TX) JC Apache 292 293 292 877 +25 3rd
Weiterman, Blaine 71 71 73 215 +2 3rd
Blankenship, Cody 71 76 74 221 +8 t-16th
Glenn, James 75 71 75 221 +8 t-16th
Labuschagne, Stefan 77 75 70 222 +9 t-19th
Bass, Cody 75 80 75 230 +17 t-46th



South Mountain (AZ) CC Cougars 288 296 295 879 +27 4th
Winwood, Adam 66 75 73 214 +1 2nd
Ka'ahanui, Trent 74 71 72 217 +4 t-7th
Brace, Scott 74 74 74 222 +9 t-19th
Murray, Rob 74 76 76 226 +13 t-34th
Eggan, Jeff 75 78 82 235 +22 t-61st



Central Alabama CC Trojans 296 296 291 883 +31 5th
Hugall, Evan 75 72 71 218 +5 t-9th
Primavera, Zach 75 73 72 220 +7 t-14th
Gruber, Lewis 72 76 74 222 +9 t-19th
Guerin, Clay 74 75 74 223 +10 t-24th
Good, Connor 76 76 77 229 +16 t-42nd



John A. Logan (IL) Voluneteers 293 299 297 889 +37 6th
Rozo, Marcelo 73 66 71 210 -3 1st
Ekenberg, Tyler 70 75 73 218 +5 t-9th
Bechtol, Dean 73 80 77 230 +17 t-46th
Smith, Matt 77 78 76 231 +18 t-49th
Stocks, Jamie 79 84 78 241 +28 t-82nd



Wallace (AL) State Coll Lions 301 294 301 896 +44 7th
Cook, Matt 74 71 74 219 +6 13th
Story, Brad 76 72 74 222 +9 t-19th
Freeman, Andrew 75 73 76 224 +11 t-27th
Brown, Patrick 78 78 77 233 +20 t-55th
Fancher, Grant 76 78 87 241 +28 t-82nd
Jones, Jessie# 80 80 85 245 +32 t-98th



Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldog 298 300 304 902 +50 8th
Ward, Corey 72 73 71 216 +3 t-4th
Williams, Richie 73 75 78 226 +13 t-34th
Ishee, Nic 77 79 76 232 +19 t-52nd
McNamara, Colin 76 77 79 232 +19 t-52nd
Dennis, Skyler# 84 78 72 234 +21 t-57th
Wilkinson, Michael 77 75 84 236 +23 t-64th
Mills, Austin# 81 83 84 248 +35 t-104th



Walters (TN) State CC Senators 301 306 300 907 +55 9th
Fullen, Jeremiah 72 75 74 221 +8 t-16th
Jarnagin, William 73 75 76 224 +11 t-27th
Cason, Jeremy 79 79 73 231 +18 t-49th
Smith, Matthew 77 77 77 231 +18 t-49th
Whaley, Caleb 79 81 85 245 +32 t-98th



U. of Ark-Fort Smith Lions 300 301 310 911 +59 10th
Fogleman, Will 76 73 74 223 +10 t-24th
Adamson, Ethan 72 77 76 225 +12 t-30th
Hill, Trent 77 74 78 229 +16 t-42nd
Hubbard, Brett 78 77 82 237 +24 t-67th
Owens, Taylor# 80 77 80 237 +24 t-67th
Embry, Jacob 75 79 84 238 +25 t-71st



Grand Rapids CC Raiders 316 296 305 917 +65 11th
Shooks, Travis 77 75 74 226 +13 t-34th
Davison, Jackson 80 73 76 229 +16 t-42nd
Straayer, Ian 78 74 78 230 +17 t-46th
Klein, Jeremy 81 74 83 238 +25 t-71st
Doty, Alex 82 85 77 244 +31 t-94th
Stadler, A.J.# 87 80 88 255 +42 t-117th



Shawnee (IL) CC Saints 307 313 302 922 +70 12th
Dempsey, Anthony 77 74 74 225 +12 t-30th
Mitchell, Curtis 75 76 74 225 +12 t-30th
Loftus, Logan 75 80 78 233 +20 t-55th
Connell, Jr., Jack 80 83 76 239 +26 t-76th
Williams, Kiston 95 101 95 291 +78 130th



Rend Lake (IL) Coll Warriors 310 300 320 930 +78 13th
Griffin, David 75 73 76 224 +11 t-27th
Harp, Jerod 77 76 81 234 +21 t-57th
Spicuzza, Tanner# 77 79 79 235 +22 t-61st
Sentel, Elijah 82 70 88 240 +27 t-79th
Keller, Ryan 80 84 79 243 +30 t-87th
Rubenacker, Ross 78 81 84 243 +30 t-87th



Black Hawk (IL) College Braves 316 308 311 935 +83 14th
Pyne, Casey 78 74 74 226 +13 t-34th
Gillund, Connor 74 75 78 227 +14 t-39th
Sergeant, Ryan 81 80 77 238 +25 t-71st
Johansen, Lee 83 82 82 247 +34 t-101st
Peterson, Kyle 84 79 91 254 +41 t-112th
Eckhardt, John# 82 83 dnc 165
Dutz, Mike# 87 87 dnc 174



Mott CC Bears 308 318 311 937 +85 15th
Townsend, Nick 74 82 76 232 +19 t-52nd
Hayden, Curtis 78 76 81 235 +22 t-61st
Kirby, Wes 79 80 78 237 +24 t-67th
Thompson, Tommy 82 80 76 238 +25 t-71st
Redburn, Zach# 80 84 79 243 +30 t-87th
Beckner, Cameron 77 87 83 247 +34 t-101st



Vincennes (IN) U. Trailblazers 311 327 318 956 +104 16th
Lamb, Logan 76 78 75 229 +16 t-42nd
Jenner, Ryan 75 81 81 237 +24 t-67th
Jennings, Adam 80 84 79 243 +30 t-87th
Grantz, Andrew 80 84 83 247 +34 t-101st
Garwood, Garrett 89 87 87 263 +50 124th



Illinois Central Coll Cougars 318 321 320 959 +107 t-17th
Brown, Ryan 79 81 74 234 +21 t-57th
Garrison, Cole 79 76 79 234 +21 t-57th
McGee, Kyle 79 82 85 246 +33 100th
Lee, Sam 84 82 85 251 +38 111th
Deakin, Nate 81 91 82 254 +41 t-112th
Rocke, Lukas# 85 86 87 258 +45 t-119th



Springfield (IL) Coll Bulldogs 329 315 315 959 +107 t-17th
Otten, Ryan 85 75 76 236 +23 t-64th
Kunz, Justin 79 79 81 239 +26 t-76th
Frietag, Jay 82 82 76 240 +27 t-79th
Koester, Andy 83 79 82 244 +31 t-94th
Frietag, Jeff 89 88 89 266 +53 126th
Heaton, Kyle# 103 94 87 284 +71 128th



Parkland (IL) College Cobras 321 324 327 972 +120 19th
Davan, Michael 86 77 76 239 +26 t-76th
Meiner, Andrew# 79 80 81 240 +27 t-79th
Seibens, Corbin# 78 82 81 241 +28 t-82nd
Mast, Kevin 78 80 84 242 +29 t-85th
Huey, Bob 77 80 87 244 +31 t-94th
Weisner, Trevor 84 90 80 254 +41 t-112th
Wells, Sam 82 87 89 258 +45 t-119th



Kaskaskia (IL) Coll Blue Devil 309 349 325 983 +131 20th
Gullen, James 78 86 79 243 +30 t-87th
Wright, Michael 73 84 86 243 +30 t-87th
Donnewald, Josh 81 81 82 244 +31 t-94th
Pruden, Kory 88 98 87 273 +60 127th
Arndt, Andrew 77 dq 78 155



Muskegon CC Jayhawks 327 329 329 985 +133 21st
Dutmers, Brian 79 79 85 243 +30 t-87th
Polanyi, Jacob 83 84 82 249 +36 t-106th
Andrie, Seth 80 88 82 250 +37 t-108th
Draeger, Zach 85 82 83 250 +37 t-108th
Teifenthal, Ryan 92 84 82 258 +45 t-119th



Georgia Military Coll Bulldogs 334 331 323 988 +136 22nd
Hale, Jordan 78 74 74 226 +13 t-34th
Evans, Jordan 79 76 83 238 +25 t-71st
Rogers, Staff 89 87 84 260 +47 122nd
Sears, Derek 88 94 82 264 +51 125th
Brooks, Will 93 96 96 285 +72 129th



Lincoln (IL) College Lynx 331 345 330 1006 +154 23rd
Gaddy, David 80 87 81 248 +35 t-104th
Comiskey, Jack 83 86 80 249 +36 t-106th
Trafficanta, Neil 85 85 84 254 +41 t-112th
Mason, Brent 83 87 85 255 +42 t-117th



SW Illinois College Blue Storm 341 329 337 1007 +155 24th
Cane, Tyler 82 79 81 242 +29 t-85th
Adams, Jay 84 77 89 250 +37 t-108th
Billhartz, Brent 88 87 79 254 +41 t-112th
Fitzgerald, Travis 87 86 88 261 +48 123rd

MCC golf set for Spring Fling Classic

(Scottsboro, Ala.) - The Meridian Community College golf team returns to action in the Spring Fling College Classic on Thursday in Scottsboro, AL. The 54-hole event continues on Friday and concludes on Saturday.

24 teams from across the country representing ten states are teeing it up at Goose Pond Golf Course.

MCC is coming off of three consecutive top three finishes, including runners-up in both the Lou Hart Invitational and last week's Battle on the Pond.

"Although we haven't won an event yet we are putting our self in contention week in and week out," said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

"Our last event was on this very golf course which should give us a little bit of an advantage this week if we play well."

Meridian natives, Clay Bounds and Jarrod Moulds will lead the Eagles into the Spring Fling. Each of the sophomores have added an All Tournament team honor to their resumes this spring. Bounds was named All Tournament at the Lou Hart Inv while Moulds was named All Tournament at the Miss-Lou College Inv.

Mississippi natives, Tanner Sparks (Belmont) and Cory Williamson (Collins), will be in the starting line-up for Coach Covich.

Baton Rouge, La-native, Garrett Westbrook, will round out the MCC line-up this week.

The Spring Fling College Classic is the final regular season event for MCC. The Eagles will not play again until the NJCAA District V Championship on April 20-21 in Cullman, AL at Terri Pines C.C.

MCC falls to JALC at Battle on the Pond

(SCOTTSBORO, Ala.) - The John A Logan Volunteers captured the Battle on the Pond over the Meridian Community College Eagles by a final of 18.5 points to 17.5 points.

"It came down to the final match and we lost a two point swing on the back nine," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"Give the John A Logan kids credit- it was cold and rainy but yet that got the job done."

The two golf teams played alternate shot format on Thursday afternoon then Friday concluded the event held at Goose Pond Golf Club in Scottsboro, Ala. with four-ball and singles matches over 36 holes.

John A Logan lead 6-3 after 18 holes, then MCC picked up 5 points while JALC added 4 points in the morning four-ball matches and the total points were JALC 10 MCC 8 headed into the final singles matches where 18 points were up for grabs.

Cory Williamson swept Joe Goelzhauser to earn the Eagles 3 points. Clay Bounds won 2.5 points agains JALC's Marcelo Rozo. Tanner Sparks earned 2 points versus Tyler Eckenberg while the Volunteer golfer earned 1 point. Jamie Stocks of JALC earned 2 points while MCC's Garrett Westbrook earned 1 point. Mike Smith of JALC earned 2 points while MCC's Jarrod Moulds earned 1 point and JALC's Dean Bechtold swept MCC's Nick Hawkes to earn 3 points for the Vols.

"To lose a tournament by one point hurts," said Covich.

"We made a great comeback in the final two formats but it just wasn't enough."

Scoring was done by stroke play matches with the low front nine score worth one point, low back nine score worth one point and total 18 hole score worth one point.

MCC will be back in action over Spring Break next week on Thursday in the 8th Annual Spring Fling Intercollegiate at Goose Pond Golf Course in Scottsboro, Ala.

MCC golf set for Battle on the Pond

The Meridian Community College golf team will face NJCAA Div II power, John A. Logan (IL) College for the inaugural “Battle on the Pond” on Thursday and Friday.

The event will feature two of the more successful programs in all of NJCAA golf in a two day, ‘Ryder Cup’ style contest held at Goose Pond Golf Course, site of the NJCAA DII men’s golf championship.

As member of the NJCAA DII men’s golf program, John A Logan is one of the top performing teams in the country. The Volunteers have won five of the past seven Region 24 Tournament titles and qualified for seven consecutive appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament. Never finishing lower than sixth at nationals, Logan’s best showing came in 2004 when it placed second. Logan has produced the last five individual Region 24 Tournament medalists, and five Volunteers have earned All-American honors.

A longtime member of the NJCAA DII and now a NJCAA DI program, Meridian, likewise, is considered one of the best teams in the nation. The Eagles have won 11 Region 23 titles since 1991, including six out of the last eight seasons. MCC has qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament multiple times, claiming four top five finishes, including a second place finish in 1998. MCC has produced eight Region 23 medalists, and 15 Eagles have earned All American honors.

“This is a great, one of a kind event between two solid programs,” said MCC coach Sean Covich.

“We’ll play on a fun golf course in a unique format- the guys have been talking about this one for a while and are looking forward to it.”

Thursday morning will feature a true alternate shot format with two players from each school paired up against two from the other school as they play one ball, alternating who hits the shot.

Friday will feature a morning and afternoon session. In the morning, the schools with pair up again for four-ball matches and then in the afternoon feature six singles matches.

Each match is worth three points (one point for best front nine score, one point for best back nine score and one point for best overall score).

36 points total are up for grabs with 18 ½ needed to win the inaugural, Battle on the Pond.

MCC sweeps Kishwaukee

from staff reports

The Meridian Community College baseball team overcame five errors in Tuesday's nightcap to sweep visiting Kishwaukee 8-7 and 16-8.

The Eagles, who improved to 16-9 with the wins, jumped on top in the first game with a pair of home runs in the first inning as Brent Tanner followed Jordan King with a round-tripper.

King would score again in the third on a Tyler Vick single and Vick, the former West Lauderdale standout, added a three-run home run in the fifth when MCC tacked on five more runs. Wesley Thigpen also homered in the inning.

Behind the exploits of King, who scored three runs on four hits — a home run, two doubles and a single — and Vick, a home run and triple on three hits, Newton County product Jared Cavenaugh earned the win. The sophomore right-hander allowed three runs – all earned — in six innings before Allen Johnson closed the game out.

The Eagles' offense continued to soar in the nightcap, scoring four runs in the first and tacked on seven more in the sixth. King hammered a two-run home run in the first inning, before Thigpen doubled in two more runs. Vick added a two-run home run in the sixth and King tripled to drive in three.

Jason Judge started for MCC, lasting only four outs before being relieved by Dalton Kulas. Judge, a former Lake star, allowed five runs — all coming in the second. Kulas went 4 2/3 innings before giving way to freshman left-hander Jose Acosta. In his first appearance for MCC, Acosta struck out the side in the seventh.

The Eagles host Kishwaukee in the series finale today.

MCC golf claims third at Miss-Lou College Inv.

Jarrod Moulds named All Tournament

(Delhi, LA) - The Meridian Community College golf team concluded the Mississippi-Louisiana College Invitational in third place after a final round 315 team score.

The Eagles shot 309 on the first day and ended the 36-hole event with a two day total of 624 to finish 11 strokes behind the team champions, University of Texas at Tyler who posted a 613. University of Texas at Dallas was in second place with a 620 and MCC in third with 624. LeTourneau University came in fourth with a 626, Mississippi College came in fifth with a 627.

"For the second consecutive week, we've been in a position to win after the first round but just can't seem to complete the tournament," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"We're really close, just one mistake here and there, but this team needs to find a way to win before post season play in April."

Individually for MCC, Jarrod Moulds led the Eagles on the final round with a team best 3-over 75. He finished the event in a tie for third place after shooting 151 (76-75). He was named to the All Tournament team after his top five showing.

Garrett Westbrook shot 155 (76-79) for the event, while Clay Bounds shot 157 (79-78). Tanner Sparks shot 162 (78-84) and Nick Hawkes closed out MCC scores with a 163 (80-83).

Joel Thelen of LeTourneau University won the medalist title with rounds of 74-74.

The Eagles don't take much of a break as they will face John A. Logan (IL) College in Scottsboro, AL for the "Battle on the Pond" played at Goose Pond Golf Course on Thursday and Friday, March 12-13.

MCC golf just three strokes off the lead at Black Bear GC

(Delhi, Louisiana)- The Meridian Community College golf team fired an opening round 309 team score to grab third place after 18 holes in the Mississippi-Louisiana College Invitational.

Despite being the only NJCAA team in the field, the Eagles held their own in a NCAA event on the 7,276 yard long, par 72 Black Bear Golf Club- host of professional golf events.

"The weather was perhaps as best we've seen this spring," said MCC head coach, Sean Covich.

"We're finally wearing shorts and seeing the winds die down a bit- a welcome sight considering there was snow on the ground last week."

Leading the way for the Eagles was Jarrod Moulds and Garrett Westbrook with rounds of 4-over par, 76. Moulds and Westbrook are tied for fifth place individually.

Tanner Sparks shot 6-over par, 78.

Clay Bounds shot 7-over par, 79 while Nick Hawkes shot 8-over par, 80.

Mississippi College leads the team race with a 306, University of Texas-Dallas is in second place with a 308 and MCC is in third with a 309.

LeTourneau University is in fourth with a 314, Univsity of Texas at Tyler is in fifth with a 317, Louisiana College is in sixth with a 328, and Millsaps College is in seventh with a 352.

Individually, Jesse Forsong of UT-Dallas is leading the medalist race with an opening round score of 1-over par, 73.

Joel Thelan of LeTourneau and Patrick Palmer of UT-Tyler are tied for second with 2-over par rounds of 74.

Final round of the 36-hole event starts Tuesday at 8:30 AM.

MCC golf set to compete in Miss-Lou College Invitational

The Meridian Community College Eagle golf team returns to competition on Monday, March 9 in the Mississippi-Louisiana College Invitational in Delhi, LA. The 36-hole event will continue thru Tuesday at the Jack Nicklaus designed Black Bear Golf Club, which plays to a par 72 at over 7,200 yards.

The Eagles are coming off a runner-up finish at the Lou Hart Invitational last week.

MCC head coach Sean Covich will start Baton Rouge, LA-native, Garrett Westbrook in the No. 1 spot. Westbrook earned his second all tournament team honor last week at Northwood with rounds of 70-79. He leads the team in both tournament scoring average and rounds under par. Meridian native, Clay Bounds, also fresh of this second all tournament team honor of the year, will play in the No.2 spot. Nick Hawkes of Essex, England will play in the No. 3 spot and Tanner Sparks of Belmont will play in the No. 4 spot. Jarrod Moulds, former Lamar School standout, will round out the Eagles lineup in the No.5 spot.

“It’s a slightly different line-up than we’ve used in the past,” said Covich.

“But these five guys have been playing pretty solid lately; we just have to find a way to play well all on the same day.”

Tee times begin both days at 9:00 AM. Nearly 75 college golfers will compete in the event. First place and second place teams will be awarded along with individual medalist honors and five all tournament team awards.

MCC baseball set for home series with Northwest Florida

MERIDIAN- Meridian Community College baseball opens its 17-game March schedule Friday when the Eagles (13-7) take on the Northwest Florida Rangers (12-8) to open a three-game weekend series at Scaggs Field on the MCC campus.

Friday’s series-opener is set for 6:00 p.m.

The series-finale will feature a double-header on Saturday at noon.

MCC and Northwest Florida met back on February 7 with the Eagles winning handily, 13-1.

MCC can't slow down No. 9

By Chris Brennaman / Assistant Sports Editor

CLINTON — Latoria Holder scored 19 of her season-high 33 points in the second half as No. 9 Copiah-Lincoln Community College routed Meridian Community College 78-59 Wednesday night in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

The freshman guard shot 61 percent from the floor, which included knocking down 5-of-6 shots from beyond the arc. Her five 3-pointers were the only ones of the game for the Lady Wolves.

MCC (22-9) made only one basket — a 3-pointer by LaQuita Burrough — in the first 6 minutes of the contest as the Lady Eagles fell behind 10-3 and played catch-up the entire game.

"We never could make any runs," said Meridian coach Hilary Allen. "After halftime, we were able to cut it to six. I was hoping that would be the time we could start to turn it around. We prepare all year to try to make those first 5 minutes of the second half important. We just weren't able to push back and close like I'd hoped we'd be able to."

The first field goal of the second half for the Lady Eagles came at the 13:55 mark when Burrough dropped in a shot and was fouled. The 6-foot-2 freshman was unable to complete the 3-point play and MCC was still in a 12-point hole.

Meridian shot just 26 percent in the second half and only slightly better (31 percent) in the first. Co-Lin, was knocking down shots at a nearly 50 percent clip.

For a stretch of nearly 5 minutes in the second half, Holder was the only Co-Lin player to make a shot, single handedly outscoring Lady Eagles 14-8.

"Holder is a very good player," Allen said. "(Co-Lin coach Gwyn Young) has so many weapons. They run a nice offense and will run a lot of time off the clock. You have to be patient on defense."

Holder also finished the game with 11 rebounds and was one of two Lady Wolves to notch a double-double. Shareka Hunt totaled 11 points and pulled down 10 boards. Rachel Vigers tacked on 12 points in the win.

"I have to give a lot of credit to Co-Lin," Allen said. "They are very physical and aggressive on defense. They play a different style of ball than most teams do. And they were the better team tonight."

Former Meridian High standout Tiara Parker led the Lady Eagles with 14 points, while Philadelphia product Tiara Logan added a dozen.

"Tiara Parker has been the heart and soul of this team," Allen said. "When I had a talk with the team a few weeks ago, I told Tiara Logan that she was the key. We knew what to expect from some of the other players, but how well she played was going to determine how far we made it. Tonight, she played really well."

Both Parker and Logan connected on a pair of 3-pointers for the Lady Eagles, who finished the night 6-of-22 from downtown.

With the loss, the season comes to a close for MCC, which entered the Region 23 Tournament as the Miss-Lou Conference champion.

"Essentially we finished third in the region," Allen said. "And to finish third in a region with 20 colleges is a compliment.

"We will lose some key sophomores like Tiara Parker, but we were able to get a lot of freshmen a lot of minutes tonight. In junior college, the recruiting never seems to stop. You're always rebuilding and restocking. Now we just have to go out and try to get some more good players."

The Lady Wolves advance to today's title game against East Mississippi at 6 p.m. Co-Lin beat the Lady Lions by 19 in both meetings this season.

Meridian holds off Itawamba

By Jamie Wachter / Sports Writer

CLINTON — When Sharda’e Johnson took a 3-pointer with 1:31 left and Meridian Community College clinging to an 82-79 lead, Lady Eagles coach Hilary Allen knew the season was on the line.

The 5-foot-9 freshman drilled the trey and propelled MCC to an 87-79 win Tuesday night at Mississippi College’s A. E. Wood Coliseum in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

“To be honest with you, when that ball was in the air I said, ‘This is the season right here. We win or our season is over on this shot,’” Allen said. “They had been so hot, that if she didn’t make it that they had chances with those 3-point shooters.”

The 22-8 Lady Eagles, who face No. 9 Copiah-Lincoln in the regional semifinals today at 8 p.m., raced out to a 46-36 lead at the half and stretched it to as many as 16 points in the second half. However, the Lady Indians (21-7) nailed four straight 3-pointers in the next 4 minutes to pull within 68-62 with 8:55 left on Jessica Collins’ lone trifecta.

Back in the game, ICC would get three straight buckets within a minute to get within three at the 4:23 mark to set up Johnson’s heroics.

“Sharda‘e has just come out of nowhere practically,” Allen said, adding that she is averaging in double digits since moving into the starting lineup 10 games ago.

While Johnson scored 11 of her 20 points in the second half, the Lady Eagles flew out to their lead behind freshman forward LaQuita Burrough and sophomore guard Tiara Parker.

Burrough, who entered averaging just 9.3 points per game, scored 14 of MCC’s first 24 points, capped by a 3-pointer with 11:13 remaining in the first half to give the Lady Eagles a 27-21 lead. Despite foul trouble, Burrough would score 22 points, to tie with Parker for the team-high.

“Obviously, we were looking for a very quick start to this game, an important game for us, and LaQuita Burrough comes off and puts up 14 points in the first half in no more than 8 to 10 minutes in the half,” Allen added. “That was obviously a key for us.”

Where Burrough left off, the former Meridian High star picked up. Parker, a do-it-all 5-foot-6 sophomore, would add 11 points in the last 10 minutes of the half. After the Lady Indians closed with 33-30 with 6 minutes left before the intermission, Parker followed a 3-pointer with a steal and layup to provide breathing room for MCC.

“I couldn‘t go anywhere with this team without talking about Tiara Parker,” Allen said. “She handles the ball, she plays defense, she makes the passes and when we need someone in the clutch, she’s going to make free throws and she’s going to make shots. That was super.”

The only thing slowing down the Lady Eagles in the first half was free-throw shooting. MCC converted just 12 of 22 from the charity stripe in the opening half before going 7-for-8 in the second half to hold off ICC, which was led by Sanqueeta Meardith’s 22 points. Ashley Benford added 20 for the Lady Indians, nailing four 3-pointers.

MCC Golf Runner-Up at Lou Hart Invitational

MERIDIAN, Miss. – The Meridian Community College golf team completed competition at the Lou Hart Invitational with a second place showing on Tuesday.

After firing a first round score of 304 on Monday, MCC shot a second round score of 314. After the first round, MCC was second amongst the team standings, and through their play of the second round were able to secure their second runner-up finish of the season. The Eagles had two players finish among the top five individual field and were named to the All Tournament Team.

First round leader, MCC freshman, Garrett Westbrook led the Eagles in the tournament, claiming third place among the individual field with a 70-79 (149).

Sophomore, Clay Bounds of Meridian, finished with his second All Tournament Team honor in his last three events with a 73-77 (150) showing to claim fourth in the individual race.

"We played solid on day one but had an awfully slow start in the second round," said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

"When you’re six shots behind- you need to have better starts than our front nine. But the guys battled to the end, I was really proud of Garrett. He shot even-par his final nine holes."

Rounding out the MCC team scores were: Cory Williamson with 160 (80-80), Nick Hawkes 161 (83-78), and Jarrod Moulds 162 (81-81).

Individual scores for MCC included: Mark Drube 159 (80-79), Tanner Sparks 162 (79-83), John Cleveland 163 (80-83), and Chris Cochran 166 (85-81).

Central Alabama finished first amongst the seven-team field with a 601 (298-303) team score, while MCC was 17 shots back in second place with a 618 (304-314) followed by Wallace State in third with a 630 (318-312).

Central Alabama’s Zach Primavera won the medalist title with a 147 (74-73). Teammate Lewis Gruber was runner-up with a 148 (72-76).

The inaugural Lou Hart Invitational was played at the 6,367 yard long, par 71- Northwood Country Club in Meridian.

MCC will return to action on Monday-Tuesday, March 9-10 at the Louisiana/Mississippi College Invitational at Black Bear Golf Club in Delhi, LA.

LOU HART INVITATIONAL AWARD WINNERS
TEAM CHAMPION: Central Alabama 601 (298-303)
MEDALIST: Zach Primavera (Central Ala) 147 (74-73)
ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM: Zach Primavera (Central Ala) 147 (74-73)
Lewis Gruber (Central Ala) 148 (72-76)
Garrett Westbrook (MCC) 149 (70-79
Clay Bounds (MCC) 150 73-77
Brad Story (Wallace St) 152 80-72

MCC’s Westbrook leads the Lou Hart Invitational

Meridian, Miss. – Meridian Community College freshman, Garrett Westbrook, used a 1-under par 71 on round one of the inaugural Lou Hart Invitational and leads the 36-hole event. The Baton Rouge native used a tournament best six birdies to take control of first place through one round at Northwood Country Club.

As a team, MCC stands in second place with an opening round of 304. Central Alabama is leading the event by six strokes over MCC, the Trojans posted the only sub-300 round with a 298. Wallace State is in third place, 14 shots behind Meridian.

"This was a very challenging set-up," said head coach Sean Covich.

"The pins were all tucked, the temperatures unseasonably cool and the winds were blowing, all of that made Garrett’s 1-under par round very impressive."

MCC sophomore Clay Bounds currently ranks third in the individual field after a two over par showing in round one, 73.

Cory Williamson of MCC shot an 80, Jarrod Moulds posted an 81, and Nick Hawkes rounded out the starting five with an 83.

Freshman, Tanner Sparks shot a 79 in round one. Sparks’ score does not count towards the team score as he is competing as an individual along with Eagle golfers, Mark Drube (80), John Cleveland (80) and Chris Cochran (85).

“We had two really solid scores out of Clay and Garrett, if we would’ve had any other score in the 70’s we would be leading, but six shots over 18 holes- that can be made up,” said Covich.

“I just hope our guys play with a positive attitude Tuesday; I think nothing would make Coach Hart more proud than for us to win her event at Northwood.”

MCC will resume play at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday in the final round.