Rough opener for MCC Eagles

By Robby Atkinson / Special to The Star The Meridian Star

(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) - The Meridian Community College Eagles opened the 2010 season taking part in the First Pitch Classic on Friday at Florida Gulf Coast Community College and the first day for the Eagles was a tough one.

Central Alabama scored two runs in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference as the Trojans spoiled opening day for MCC with a 4-2 win. MCC (0-1) will advance into the loser's bracket game today against Chipola at 1 p.m. Chipola lost on the opening day of the tournament 6-5 to Young Harris Community College.

"We had our opportunities to win and we just couldn't make the plays we needed," said MCC coach Chris Rose. "We know that this tournament is filled with some great teams and we just need to bounce back and play better tomorrow."

MCC opened up the scoring with a run in the top of the second inning thanks to poor fielding by Central Alabama. Alan McWhirter led the inning off by reaching on a fielding error by the Trojans and later scored on a single by former Meridian High standout Kenny Roberts to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

The Eagles extended its lead in the fourth inning to take a 2-0 lead against Central Alabama. Former West Lauderdale standout Darren Farmer led the inning off with a double to right field and later crossed the plate on a wild pitch to give MCC a two-run lead.

Central Alabama would climb back into the game with a pair of runs in the fourth inning to tie the game at 2-2. Shane Lewis delivered an RBI single in the inning for the Trojans and the second run of the inning scored on a wild pitch.

Central Alabama would pull away for good with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to seal the 4-2 win against MCC. Nick Gunnells had an RBI single in the inning and Lewis also delivered another run scoring hit for the Trojans.

MCC collected sevens hits as a team in the game, but the Eagles left nine runners on base. Central Alabama ended the game with 10 hits as a team and the Trojans left 10 runners on board.

Roberts and Farmer led the Eagles with two hits apiece and Kenny Sanders added a pinch-hit single in the loss for MCC. Dustin McWilliams, a former West Lauderdale star, was the losing pitcher in relief for MCC. Former Enterprise standout Blake Hennington was the starting pitcher for MCC, going five innings and collecting a pair of strikeouts

Lewis led the Trojans with three singles in the victory for Central Alabama.

The Trojans advance to take on Young Harris Community College today at 4 p.m. at Bill Frazer Field.