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.