MCC Tennis players ink with NCAA programs

(MERIDIAN) - Meridian Community College tennis coach, Wanda McPhail, has announced that three of her Lady Eagles sophomore players signed national letters of intent to play for NCAA programs.

Kayla Daughtrey of Laurel, MS; Ashton Hartley of Clinton, MS; and Katy Shoptaugh of Baton Rouge, LA all put pen to paper on Wednesday.

Last weekend Daughtry, Hartley and Shoptaugh helped lead their team to their second-straight NJCAA Region 23 Tournament Championship.

The Lady Eagles advance to the NJCAA Women's Tennis National Championships which will be played next weekend. Last season as freshmen, Daughtrey, Hartley and Shoptaugh helped MCC to a final national ranking and finish of 10th at the National Championships.

Daughtrey is a graduate of Northeast Jones High School and is the daughter of Paul and Christi Daughtrey. The Laurel native signed with Missouri Western State University, a member of NCAA Division II and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

As a freshman she played number 5 singles for the Lady Eagles. She ended her freshman season with an 18-3 record. As a sophomore at the number 5 spot, she had an 18-4 record for the season. She has an impressive 36-7 singles record during regular season play at MCC posting wins over perennial powerhouses Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Central Florida Community College.

“Kayla has a tremendous desire to win; she surprises her opponents as she appears so laid back but hates to lose,” said McPhail.

“She has matured much during her two years at MCC We wish Kayla much success in the future.”

Hartley is a graduate of Clinton high School in Clinton, MS. She signed to play for Southeast Missouri State University, member of NCAA Division II and the Ohio Valley Conference.

She currently competes as the No. 3 singles player and No. 1 doubles for MCC. Last weekend she captured her second-straight No. 3 singles title at the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

She compiled a record of 22-3 at No. 3 singles finishing the season ranked 41st by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). She also finished ranked No. 8 in doubles. She captured Region 23 Championships in both No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles.

This past fall Hartley was ranked 58th by the ITA as her team was ranked 11th overall. This season her team is ranked 11th overall and 4th in the NJCAA Region III. Her current ranking is 23rd by the ITA in Region III.

She was a prep standout at Clinton High School where she was a two-time All-State selection. She was a two-time state finalist in doubles including winning the No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles titles as a freshman. She was picked as the team MVP every season and was selected to the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star Team her senior season.

In 2005 she finished the season ranked No. 2 in singles and No. 1 in doubles in Mississippi. She received the George Wilkinson Award by the Mississippi Tennis Association that season.

Katy Shoptaugh is a graduate of Redemptorist in Baton Rouge, LA. She signed to play for NCAA Division II program, the University of West Alabama in Livingston.

She has played number 4 singles both years accruing a 17-3 record her freshman year and a 20-2 record her sophomore season. Her career record is 37-5 while at MCC. She has played number 2 doubles both years with different partners. As a sophomore she and Ashton Hartley, currently ranked number 37, finished the season with a 16-4 record; as a freshman she and Meridian native Kelly Sterling finished the regular season with a 17-4 record. Her career doubles record is 33-8.

“Katy works hard on the court; she has competed for two years without missing a day of practice or a match,” said McPhail.

“She brings laughter wherever she is which a wonderful trait to have is. We are very excited that Katy will be continuing her tennis career so close to Meridian. I know she will contribute immediately to the continued success of the UWA program. She joins a strong team of ladies who qualified for the conference tournament this year in a tough conference. We wish Katy all the best.”

MCC baseball splits with Shelton State to close regular season

A pair of big innings in the second game of a doubleheader helped Meridian Community College bounce back from an earlier tough loss as the Eagles earned a split with Shelton State Community College in their regular-season finale.

A two-run home run in each of those innings sparked MCC and helped give the Eagles a 9-3 win in the opener. The Buccaneers took the opener with two runs in the seventh inning as Shelton State won 10-8.

Meridian (34-16) was trailing by three runs entering the bottom of the second in the nightcap when the first big inning started.

Kenny Sanders led off the frame and was hit by a pitch. He didn't stay on base long as Jonathan Pace sent a ball out of Scaggs Field. William Beckwith followed with a double, but was gunned out trying to stretch it into a triple for the first out of the inning.

A string of bad pitching added to MCC's tally and gave the Eagles the lead for good. Taylor Scarbrough drew a walk before Corey Dickerson was hit by a pitch. Brent Tanner, Tyler Vick and Wesley Thigpen also walked with the latter two receiving RBIs.

With a 4-3 lead, the Eagles failed to score in the third, but poured it on in the fourth.

Jordan King walked and Tanner ripped a shot to right field that left no doubt. The two-run job gave MCC a 6-3 advantage.

Vick and Thigpen both singled before Sanders walked to load the bases. Beckwith brought the first two runs home on a single and Scarbrough plated the final run of the game with a sacrifice fly.

Garrett Harris earned the win for the Eagles and improved to 6-2. Former Meridian High pitcher Shumpert McIntosh worked the seventh and struck out one batter.

In the opener it was the seventh inning that gave Shelton State the victory. Jared Cavenaugh struck out two of the first three batters he faced in the inning — plunking the other — before giving up an RBI double to Cody Fox. Former MCC infielder Nick Vickerson drove in the last run with an RBI single.

Meridian fell behind early, giving up two runs in the first inning. The Eagles got one run back in the bottom of the frame when Tanner singled in King, who singled and moved to second on a passed ball.

The second inning saw both teams score a run apiece. Beckwith walked and stole second to get into scoring position for Scarbrough, who singled in the run to make it a 3-2 game.

After the Buccaneers put up a three-spot in the third inning, the Eagles followed suit.

King doubled and was driven in by Vick's RBI single after Tanner was hit by a pitch. Pace brought two runs in with a double to bring the Eagles back within a run at 6-5.

MCC took its first lead of the game in the fourth inning when Sanders and Scarbrough scored on RBIs by King and Tanner, respectively.

With two runs in the sixth, Shelton State retook the lead in the 8-7 game. The Eagles tied it in the bottom of the inning an an RBI single by King that scored Sanders.

With the regular season now complete, the Eagles begin their postseason journey in Baton Rouge. MCC will play two games on Saturday (12 p.m. and 7 p.m.) in the double-elimination regional that also includes Delgado.

MCC soccer inks Pascagoula goalkeeper

(MERIDIAN, Miss.) – Meridian Community College soccer head coach Alex George has announced the signing of Kyle Miller out of Pascagoula (MS) High School.

Miller is a two-time all district goal keeper for PHS and was named all state his senior season.

Miller was recently selected as a participant in the 2009 MHSAA All Star soccer game.

“We are very excited about the addition of Kyle to this program, “said George.

“He is a solid student in the classroom and a solid player on the field.”

Kyle is the son of Keith and Sherry Miller of Pascagoula, Mississippi.

MCC Tennis players to ink with SE Missouri St and West Alabama

Meridian Community College tennis coach, Wanda McPhail, has announced that two of her Lady Eagles sophomore players will be singing with university programs on Wednesday at 2 PM in the Ivy Hall Conference Room.

Ashton Hartley of Clinton, MS will be signing with Southeast Missouri State University and Katy Shoptaugh of Baton Rouge, LA will ink with the University of West Alabama.

Last weekend both Hartley and Shoptaugh helped lead their team to their second-straight NJCAA Region 23 Tournament Championship.

The Lady Eagles advance to the NJCAA Women's Tennis National Championships which will be played next weekend. Last season as freshmen, Hartley and Shoptaugh helped MCC to a final national ranking and finish of 10th at the National Championships.

MCC golf inks Baton Rouge standout

(MERIDIAN, Miss.) – Meridian Community College golf coach Sean Covich has announced the signing of Brandt Garon out of Parkview Baptist High School in Baton Rouge, LA.

Garon is currently ranked as the No. 2 golfer on the Arrowhead Junior Golf Tour and is ranked as the No. 4 junior golfer in Louisiana according to the Junior Golf Scoreboard. He has been named to the Baton Rouge All Metro golf team four consecutive years (2006-2009) and has an 18-hole tournament scoring average of 74 the past two seasons.

Since 2007, Garon has participated in over 35 events claiming 24 top five finishes including 11 wins. During which he also posted 18 rounds of even-par or lower.

Garon’s low rounds came in the 2008 AJGT Coca Cola Stroke Play Championship at Beaver Creek Country Club in Zachary, Louisiana. He shot 9-under par (67-68) to tie for first.

In 2008 Garon won the AJGT Tournament of Champions at the Peninsula Golf Club in Gulf Shores, Al. shooting 73-74 to win first place.

This season Garon has claimed two tournament titles, the first at Acadian Hills Country Club in Lafayette, LA in the Teurlings High School Golf Tournament shooting even-par 72.

During the 2009 Palmetto High School Golf Championships in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Garon fired the low round of the qualifier, shooting 3-under par, 69 and was the low score out of 300 high school golfers from around the country. He was named to the Palmetto High School Championship All Tournament team.

Just this past week, Garon won again at the Baton Rouge Metro Championship played at the LSU Golf Course. He once again shot even-par, 72 to win that event.

"We feel great about the addition of Brandt and what he brings to this year's recruiting class," said Covich

"MCC golf has a great tradition of Louisiana golfers, from All America Dustin Petit to current freshman Garrett Westbrook, we are certain that Brandt will follow in that great tradition."

Garon will be joining Adam Monsen (San Antonio, TX) and JT Soley (Laurel, MS) in the 2009 MCC golf recruiting class.

MCC claims region crowns

By Rocky Higginbotham / Sports Editor

Coach Wanda McPhail’s juggernaut tennis program at Meridian Community College produced two more region titles Wednesday, as both the Eagles and Lady Eagles captured the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament championships at the Northeast Tennis Center.

It was the second straight region crown and sixth in the last eight years for the MCC women, who will go to the NJCAA National Championships Tournament May 1-7 in Tucson, Ariz. The Lady Eagles had a top-10 finish in the nationals a year ago.

It was also the sixth region crown in the last eight years for the MCC men — who three-peated with their performance Wednesday. The Eagles will go to Plano, Texas May 11-15 for the national tourney, where they placed 14th a year ago.

MCC racked up 14 teams points in the Region 23 event to easily outdistance Itawamba (5), Hinds (5) and Copiah-Lincoln (3).

Individual champs from the Meridian men included:

• Gabriel Nicotra in No. 2 singles. Nicotra won 5-7, 7-5, 6-0 over Fyodor Tabachnikov of Hinds in the finals after cruising 6-5, 6-0 in the semifinals Tuesday;

• Andres Cepede in No. 3 singles. Cepede won 6-1, 6-1 over Duffy Loel of Hinds in the finals and 6-0, 6-0 in the semifinals;

• Jeremy Purdum in No. 4 singles. He won 6-2, 6-2 in the championship over Itawamba’s Jody Vinson and 6-2, 6-2 in the semis;

• Wade Henderson in No. 5 singles. He won 6-1, 6-1 over Justin Hewitt of Co-Lin in the finals and was a 6-1, 6-0 winner in the semis;

• Kyle Dew in No. 6 singles. Dew won 6-3, 6-5 over Co-Lin’s Blake Smith in the finals after winning 6-1, 6-1 in the semis;

• Cepede and Henderson, who won 6-2, 6-2 in No. 2 doubles after opening with a 6-1, 6-1 win; and

• Clark and Purdum, who won 6-0, 6-2 in the No. 3 doubles finals after a 6-1, 6-0 victory in the semis.

The Meridian women rolled up 18 team points, coasting past Hinds (5), Jones (4) and Itawamba to claim the title.

Individual titles for the Lady Eagles included:

• Anna Vavrik in No. 1 singles. Vavrik won 6-0, 6-1 over Hinds’ Daria Egerova in the finals after a 6-2, 6-0 win in the semis;

• Meridian’s own Kelly Sterling, who won 6-2, 6-3 over Aline Ferreira of Hinds in the No. 2 singles final. Sterling won 6-1, 6-1 in her first match;

• Ashton Hartley in No. 3 singles. Hartley won 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 (8-4) over Sherika Trader of Hinds in the championship after cruising 6-1, 6-0 in the semis;

• Katy Shoptaugh in No. 4 singles. She won 6-1, 6-5 over Mary Carole Kiewit of JCJC in the finals after a 6-2, 6-1 semifinal victory;

• Kayla Daughtrey in No. 5 singles. She was a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Tiffany Hudson of JCJC after a 6-2, 6-1 win in the semis;

• Claire Massey in No. 6 singles. Massey topped Rebecca Rodgers of Jones 6-0, 6-2 in the finals after a 6-0, 6-1 win in the semis;

• Vavrik and Sterling, who won 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in No. 1 doubles after a 6-0, 6-1 win Tuesday;

• Shoptaugh and Hartley, who were 6-2, 6-1 winners in No. 2 doubles after opening with a 6-0, 6-2 victory; and

• Massey and Daughtrey, who won No. 3 doubles 6-2, 6-0 after opening with a 6-3, 6-2 victory in the semifinals.

Former Eagle golfer named All SBC

(HOUSTON, Texas)- Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns golf team turned in their best round of the Sun Belt Conference Championship on the final day as they carded a team score of five-under par 283 to jump to fourth place at the Cypress Wood Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

Louisiana began the day in eighth place but turned in a tournament-low round of 283 (-5) as a team to jump up into fourth place.

The Cajuns were led by Kyle Pritchard and former Meridian Community College standout, Dustin Petit. The duo finished the tournament at two-over par to finish in a tie for sixth place, earning them each All-Sun Belt Conference accolades.

Pritchard improved each round. After opening the tournament with a 79, the junior shot a second round score of even par (72). In his final round, Pritchard shot a team-best round of 67 to move to two-over par for the tournament.

Petit, the former MCC Eagle, was a model of consistency throughout the tournament. The senior posted back-to-back rounds of two-over par 74 to enter the final round in 18th. Petit carded a two-under par round of 70 to move into a tie for sixth place and earn All-Conference praise.

While at Meridian, Petit was the 2006 MACJC/Region 23 medalist after shooting 66-69 in that championship. He was named the Mississippi junior college Player of the Year his freshman season at MCC. He led Meridian to a third-place finish in the 2006 NJCAA national championship and was named to the national All-Tournament team his freshman season while playing for Coach Lou Hart.

In 2007, under then rookie head golf coach Sean Covich, Petit continued to flourish his sophomore season, posting eight rounds of even-par or better. He was named to six All Tournament teams, was medalist-runner up four times, and was named First Team All State and All Region. Petit’s MCC team captured the school’s third consecutive MACJC State/NJCAA Region XXIII Championship as he was the low MCC golfer at that event shooting 69-76 (145).

During the 2007 NJCAA National Championship, Petit shot four consecutive under-par rounds for MCC (71-68-70-71) and claimed national runner-up medalist with his 8-under par performance. Petit was named to the NJCAA national championship all –tournament team for the second consecutive year and was named first team NJCAA All-America. He was also named first team PING All-America by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

2009 Sun Belt Men’s All-Conference Team
Lloyd du Perez (Arkansas State)
Tyler Thompson (Arkansas State)
Espen Kofstad (Denver)
Daniel Wax (Denver)
Chas Narramore (Middle Tennessee)
Jason Millard (Middle Tennessee)
Nathan Sheen (North Texas)
Clarke Kincaid (North Texas)
Kyle Pritchard (Louisiana)
Dustin Petit (Louisiana)
Marc-Ettienne Bussieres (South Alabama)
Jack Hiluta (South Alabama)

MCC golf claims top three at District, advance to Nationals

(Cullman, Ala.) - The Meridian Community College golf team shot a 319 team score to fall from first to third place in the NJCAA District V Championship at Terri Pines Country Club in Cullman, Alabama. After team scores of 294-301 on Monday, the Eagles shot their worst team score of the year a 319 in the final round on Tuesday.

Brevard (FL) Community College won the championship with an 899 while Central Alabama claimed runner-up with a 904. MCC was in third with a 914. Wallace State was fourth with a 922 while Wake Tech rounded out the top five with a 924.

12 teams representing five states participated in the championship. Teams from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina were entered in the event.

"We played absolutely terrible today," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"I don't know what else to say. I guess I didn't have the guys ready. Good thing is we advance to Nationals in a few weeks so we'll get ready for that"

Nick Hawkes lead the way for MCC with a 227 (73-76-78) and finished just on shot shy of the All Tournament team. Clay Bounds had a 230 (74-75-81), Jarrod Moulds (80-73-81), Garrett Westbrook (74-77-83), and Cory Williamson (73-82-79) each had a 234. I

ndividually, Zach Primavera of Central Alabama won medalist honors with a 216 (70-73-73).

"The positive thing is that this was our first season in the NJCAA Division I competition and we held our own, had a chance with one round to play, so that's not bad for our first year at the highest level."

The Eagles will now host their annual fund raising scramble on May 8th at the NAS-Ponta Creek Golf Course then MCC will travel to their first ever NJCAA Division I National Championship on May 19-22 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Hampton Cove in Huntsville, AL.

MCC golf leads District Championship

(Cullman, Ala.) - The Meridian Community College golf team has taken control of first place through two rounds in the NJCAA District V Championship at Terri Pines Country Club in Cullman, Alabama.

After claiming a one shot lead with a first round team score of 294, the Eagles shot a solid second round team score of 301. Through two rounds MCC has a 595 total and leads by three shots over Brevard (FL) Community College.

12 teams representing five states are participating in the championship. Teams from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina are entered in the event.

In the team standings MCC leads with 595, Brevard (FL) is in second with a 598, and Central Alabama is in third with a 600.

"I can't say enough about the effort the guys played with today," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"It wasn't easy walking 36 holes in one day but the guys battled and finished strong each round to give us a chance."

Clay Bounds and Nick Hawkes lead the way for MCC.

Bounds, a sophomore, posted rounds of 74-75 (149). Hawkes, a freshman, shot 73-76 (149).

Other scores included: Garrett Westbrook, a freshman, shot 74-77 (151). Jarrod Moulds, a sophomore, shot 80-73 (153). Cory Williamson, a freshman, shot 73-82 (155).

Individually, Zach Primavera of Central Alabama leads with 70-73 (143).

"Everyone contributed today and it truly was a team effort, should be fun tomorrow."

This is the first post season appearance for MCC golf at the NJCAA Division I level in school history. Before this season, MCC had always participated at the NJCAA Division II level.

Final round of the NJCAA District V Championship begins tomorrow at 10 AM.

MCC Golf Set to Compete in NJCAA District V Championship

The Meridian Community College golf team travels to Cullman, Ala. Monday and Tuesday for the NJCAA District V tournament. The event will be held at Terri Pines Country Club.

Nine teams, eight of which are currently ranked in the GolfStat.com top 25 poll, will be competing in the event: Brevard (FL), Cape Fear (NC), Central Alabama, Faulkner (AL) State, Meridian (MS), Pitt (SC), Spartanburg Methodist (SC), Wallace (AL) State, and Wake Technical (NC).

This will be the first District V championship appearance for MCC, before 2009 the Eagles competed in the MACJC/Region 23 at the NJCAA Division II level, this season the Eagles have moved up to Division I which means a new path to the national championship.

“In the past we had to win our Region to advance to the NJCAA Division II national championship,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

“This year with the move up to Division I our path is a little bit different- and since we are the only Division I program in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi- this year we will receive an automatic birth into the District and National championships. Next season that will change slightly with redistricting but this year we know we are in the national championship.”

With three freshmen in the starting line-up this year, sophomores Clay Bounds and Jarrod Moulds are the only players for Meridian that have prior experience in postseason tournaments. Bounds fired rounds of 74-76 to finish 12th in last years MACJC/Region 23 championship. Moulds finished tied for 13th after carding rounds of 77-74.

"I think Clay and Jarrod will be able to provide a lot of leadership this week since they've been here before," said Covich.

"Last season they missed out on the national championship by just two shots so I believe that this season they will soak up every minute of postseason play and enjoy the final two events of their outstanding MCC careers."

Bounds, a former Lamar golfer, has certainly left his mark on his hometown community college golf program. He holds the record for the lowest tournaments scores in each of the past two seasons (66 and 67), and his 66 in this years Spring Fling College Classic tied for the lowest score in MCC golf history. He has posted seven rounds of Even-par or lower in his two seasons and has been named to three career All Tournament teams. In 2008 he was named MACJC All State.

Moulds, also a former Lamar standout, has been one of the more consistent scores for the MCC golf team sine the fall of 2007. He is the only golfer in the past two seasons to win a tournament medalist title, he did so at the Kirkwood National Invitational with rounds of 74-72. He has posted three rounds of Even-par or lower and has been named to four All Tournament teams in his career. In 2008 he was named MACJC All State.

Garrett Westbrook looks to cap off a stellar freshman season at MCC. After arriving on campus in the fall, Westbrook has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He leads the team in scoring average at 75.8 strokes per round and has posted the most top-15 finishes (4) on the team. He also looks to build off a strong performance is his last event at the Spring Fling College Classic. In that event, Westbrook posted rounds of 72-72-72 to finish tied for 4th out of 133 golfers.

“I couldn't be any prouder of the way Garrett has played this year," said Coach Covich.

"He's just continued to work hard, and has matured greatly this semester into a team leader. I expect him to have a strong showing this week."

Cory Williamson and Nick Hawkes will round out the line-up as freshmen this week.

Williamson has participated in 10 events for MCC, posting 11 rounds of 76 or below which included two rounds of 72 or lower, and three times this season he was the lowest MCC individual. He had a hole in one during round three of the Spring Fling which helped MCC secure runner-up finish in that event.

Hawkes participated in nine events for MCC, posting a season low 1-under par (71) at the NJCAA Division I National Preview back in October.

The NJCAA District V Men’s Golf Championship tees off Monday morning, April 20th, beginning at 8 a.m. (CT). The event will feature 36-holes on day one and a final 18 on day two. The NJCAA Division I National Championship is set for May 19-22 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail-Hampton Cove.

MCC softball swept by Jones Co.

Jones County Junior College swept Meridian Community College in softball action Tuesday. The games were originally scheduled March 31, but were postponed by rain.

In Tuesday’s game one victory, Katie Holifield tossed a three-hitter with four strikeouts. Shana Ladner led the Lady Bobcats with three singles, while Candace Leach had a double and two RBIs. Rebekah Langley and Elisha Ray added singles. Shana Nicholson and Devin Darr had RBIs.

In game two, Falon Nettles posted the victory, going four innings and giving up just four hits. Katie Alderman pitched the final inning and did not allow a hit.

J.J. Taylor homered, singled and drove in three runs to lead JCJC. Brittney Arnold doubled and singled, while Darr had two singles. Kasey McCann added a double, while Kirsten Perry, Ladner and Kristen McDonald had singles.

MCC splits at Wallace-Hanceville

The Meridian Community College baseball team’s five-game winning streak came to a close in the first game of a doubleheader at Wallace-Hanceville on Wednesday, as the Eagles lost 9-5. MCC, though, rebounded to grab a 5-4 decision in the nightcap.

MCC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning of game one against the Lions, taking advantage of some wildness from Wallace-Hanceville. Following a single from Jordan King, Brent Tanner, Tyler Vick and Wesley Thigpen all walked, Thigpen’s coming with the bases loaded. William Beckwith followed with a two-run single.

However, the lead was short-lived as the Lions answered with four runs in the bottom of the first, all coming on a two-out grand slam. Wallace-Hanceville added four more runs in the fourth before MCC clawed within 8-5 in the fifth. Thigpen and Beckwith followed a King double to load the bases for a two-run single from Jonathan Pace with two outs.

The Lions would add an unearned run in the sixth as Jordan Faulkner took the loss, lasting just three innings. Jose Acosta relieved and lasted three innings, working for the second straight day.

“Jose pitched very well,” MCC coach Chris Rose said. “He had only thrown one inning all year before (Tuesday) and threw well there and came back with another good performance.

“I was very proud of him.”

The Eagles rebounded by taking another first-inning lead in the nightcap. Following a Corey Dickerson leadoff single, King moved him over with a sacrifice bunt and Thigpen delivered a RBI single to stake MCC to a 1-0 lead.

Once again, though, the lead didn’t last as the Lions responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning. This time, MCC would have the answer.

The Eagles put two runners on as Beckwith walked and Pace singled before Dalton Kulas drew a two-out walk. Dickerson then earned a bases-loaded walk and King drove in two with a double to give MCC a 4-2 lead.

MCC would add another tally in the third as Thigpen singled and scored on a Pace single.

Wallace-Hanceville, though, rallied back, scoring two in the bottom half of the inning off starter Jason Judge. Jared Cavenaugh relieved with runners on second and third and two out. After walking the first batter he faced, Cavenaugh got out of trouble with a strikeout. In 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, the sophomore right-hander allowed three hits and the lone walk while striking out five.

The Eagles who are 30-14 overall and 6-3 in conference host Delgado in a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday before completing the three-game set with a 2 p.m. start on Sunday. Tuesday the Eagles will be at Thomasville, Ala. vs. L.B. Wallace

MCC’s Vick named National Player of the Week

(Colorado Springs, Colo)- Tyler Vick of Meridian Community College and David Rollins of San Jacinto College are this week's Division I Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week. Taking the Division II honors are Cody Gilles of Heartland Community College and Chance Mistric of Louisiana State University-Eunice. Dan Campbell of Joliet Junior College is this week's Division III Player of the Week.

Tyler Vick (West Lauderdale; Collinsville, Miss.) tied the single game home run record at Meridian last week against Shelton State with three. He then followed that performance with two more later in the week against Baton Rouge. With 17 home runs on the season and 34 on his career, he is now within two home runs of holding the career home run record at Meridian. Over four games last week, the sophomore third baseman went 10-for-16 with eight hits, a double, five home runs, and a walk. He also drove in 11 RBI's.

MCC Women’s Basketball Player Inks with Tougaloo, Lady Eagles also add two

Meridian Community College sophomore Johanna Hirmke of Bamberg, Germany singed a national letter of intent to play for Tougaloo College on Wednesday afternoon.

Hirmke, a guard for MCC the past two seasons played for Coach Hilary Allen and carried a 3.3 GPA during her two seasons at MCC.

“Jo Jo, as call her, possesses great fundamentals of the game,” said Allen.

“She is a hard worker in the classroom and on the court. We could not be prouder of here to continue her athletic career and education at Tougaloo.”

Hirmke will play for Tougaloo head coach, Lee Payton starting in the fall of 2009.

Meridian Community College women’s basketball coach, Hilary Allen, was busy on Wednesday signing two recruits from Starkville High School.

Kierra Jones and Tay Odneal of Starkville both signed to play basketball for the Lady Eagles next season.

Jones averaged 18 points per game for SHS and was part of the Lady Jackets District 5A Championship team. Jones was selected to participate in the 2009 Mississippi-Alabama All Star Game.

Odneal averaged 12 points per game and was also on the Lady Jackets District title team.

“I’m very excited to have two fine players coming from a winning program like Starkville High School,” said Allen.

Meridian softball splits with Bishop State

(MOBILE, AL) - Bishop State used a controversial play in game one to defeat Meridian Community College 8-6.

Trailing 5-3 in the third inning MCC had a runner that appeared to have scored the fourth run for the Lady Eagles but during the play she was involved in a collision with the catcher at the plate and was called out.

“The call took some on momentum away from but we should have never been in that situation in the first place because we all their first five runs were unearned,” said MCC head coach, Robert Eakins.

“We just did not come ready to play on defense. Secondly we left to many runners stranded (11) to win the games. We had base runners on every inning but we did to many mental things wrong to win the game.”

Leading hitter for MCC was Stephanie Stevens who went 2-for-3 with a double. Natalie Parker had a two-run double in the first inning to help give MCC a 3-0 lead but the Lady Eagles gave the lead right back to Bishop State over the first two innings by committing three errors in the field.

In game two, a Meridian used an offensive onslaught to run-rule Bishop State 17-9 in just five innings.

“We responded by continuing to hit the ball well by collecting 14 hits,” said Eakins.

Leading hitters for MCC were LaToya Braxton who went4-for-4 with two runs and three RBI; Stephanie Stevens went 2-for-3 with one RBI; Kasey Kelsay went 2-for4 with three RBI; and Andrea Fulton went 3-for-4 with four RBI.

“Even though we played well on offense we still had some mental lapses on defense that kept them in the game but we were able to overcome them. Another plus we had was everyone got a chance to get some playing time in today” said Eakins.

MCC, now 6-23, returns back to action on Friday when they travel to Bevill State in a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader. Then the Lady Eagles will play at home next Tuesday in a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader makeup game with Jones County.

MCC's Vick slams 3 HR's in loss

(MERIDIAN) - Despite three home runs from sophomore, Tyler Vick, Meridian Community College lost their home contest against Shelton State Tuesday night.

The visiting team had to use an extra inning to defeat the home standing Eagles, 10-8 in ten innings.

After the setback, MCC fell to 24-13 on the season but now prepares for a big weekend with conference opponent, Baton Rouge Community College.

MCC swept BRCC in a three game road series back in March.

MCC will host BRCC Friday at 6 pm for a nine inning game and then on Saturday for two seven inning games starting at 1 pm.

Billy Harold Smith to be inducted into State Juco Hall of Fame

(MERIDIAN) - Meridian Community College is well known for its rich baseball tradition. One of the men who laid the foundation for that tradition, Billy Harold Smith, will be inducted into the Mississippi Junior College Sports Hall of Fame the evening of Tuesday, April 28.

The induction ceremony will be held at the Jackson Hilton beginning at 7 p.m.

Smith had the longest tenure of any coach in the history of MCC’s baseball program. He led the Eagles from 1976-1986 before retiring to embark upon a career in school administration.

“MCC is excited about Billy Harold’s induction into the Hall,” said Dr. Scott Elliott, MCC president. “There were several men – Bill May, Quitman Lockley and Terry Williams – who paved the way for the excellence that became Eagle baseball. Chief among those pioneers was Billy Harold Smith. He is richly deserving of this recognition.”

Smith, who was also a successful high school basketball coach (once winning a state championship with the Southeast Lauderdale girls’ team), had a tough challenge as the Eagle baseball helmsman. He was basically restricted to recruiting a one-county district shared with another community college (EMCC). Despite being handcuffed in recruiting, Smith produced several winning teams. His inaugural squad went 21-6, and his 1984 unit produced 28 victories. His most prolific season came in 1981 with a then school record 30 victories. Those 1981 Eagles were the school’s first to qualify for the state playoffs.

Additionally, Smith was the coach primarily responsible for the development of the annual Mississippi Junior College All-Star baseball game in 1983. He was chosen to coach the North All-Star squad in 1985.

As the Eagle diamond program continued to evolve, Smith and Williams became the driving forces behind the development of MCC’s first on-campus ballpark, something that greatly enhanced the success of the program.

“Billy Harold made some important contributions on the field of competition, despite MCC’s recruiting restrictions in that era,” Elliott said, “but I believe his greatest contribution to Eagle athletics came in the form of his life’s testimony. Besides his coaching duties, he was a very dedicated and master science teacher, and his Christian witness to his players, students, and colleagues without question proved a very positive influence in the lives of a great many.”

Elliott described Smith as “a model of personal courage.” Smith suffered a major heart attack at age 44 during his coaching years at MCC, and he also lost a son in a tragic automobile accident. Yet, Smith went on to become principal of West Lauderdale Attendance Center, where he continued to be a tremendous influence in the lives of teachers and students. Moreover, he administered a school system that developed one of the most prolific prep baseball programs in the nation – the West Lauderdale Knights under the legendary Jerry Boatner.

“Billy Harold survived multiple personal challenges, just one of which would have derailed a lesser individual,” Elliott said. “To this day, he remains one of the most respected men in his community of Collinsville and in his church (Collinsville United Methodist).”

Past MCC inductees into the State Juco Hall of Fame have been Lou Weddington Hart (golf); Jason Smith and Cliff Lee (baseball); and Coach Jim Redgate and Ronald Murray (basketball).