Trojans eliminate Eagles

from staff reports

Whenever Meridian Community College made a push Saturday, Seminole (Okla.) State had the answer.

The result was a 6-4 Trojans win that eliminated the Eagles from the NJCAA South Central District tournament at Metro Community College-Longview in Kansas City, Mo., following a deluge Friday night that left the Maple Woods field flooded.

Seminole State defeated the host Monarchs 4-3 earlier Saturday and the two teams will meet again today to decide the district champion and earn a berth in the NJCAA World Series.

“That was just a good baseball game,” MCC coach Chris Rose said. “It was well-played on both sides. They just made a couple of big-time plays that were game-changers.

“Brent Tanner was up with guys on first and second and hits an absolute laser down the line that the first baseman snagged. Just a couple more inches and we’re talking runs. The center fielder makes one of the best catches I’ve ever seen to rob us a home run in the last inning.

“If you’re going to win it, you make plays like that and they did.”

The Trojans (39-17) delivered the first blow, scoring four in the top of the fourth. One day, though, after being hammered 18-3, the Eagles (37-19) would battle back.

Following a Corey Dickerson ground out, Jordan King and Brent Tanner each singled. Folowing a walk to Wesley Thigpen, William Beckwith provided a two-run double and Johnathan pace added an RBI single to pull MCC within 4-3.

After Seminole pushed the lead to 5-3, MCC again answered. After former West Lauderdale standout Tyler Vick walked in the sixth, Thigpen reached on a fielder’s choice and would then score on another Beckwith double.

It was as close as the Eagles would get, though. MCC would be robbed of a home run in the ninth and would get the tying run to the plate following a two-out walk in the last frame, but the Eagles were unable to capitalize.

“I don’t know it was the two week layover that we hadn’t played much, but we weren’t as potent offensively as we had been for the vast majority of the year,” Rose said. “We didn’t hit a home run in either game, and that’s a big part of our offense. It just didn’t happen for us.”

Mandella Mingo started for MCC, pitching four innings before Jared Cavenaugh relieved. Mingo retired the first nine batters he faced.

“Mingo was absolutely unbelievable,” Rose said. “That was far and away the best game he’s pitched all year and he’s pitched well many times.

“Cavenaugh then came in and did an exceptional job.”