MCC Softball splits season opener with Hinds

(MERIDIAN, Miss.) - The Meridian Community College softball team opened its 2010 season with a split with Hinds Community College at home.

Game 1 saw Hinds defeat MCC 12-2. Hinds scored 11 unearned runs as the Lady Eagles committed 8 errors.

“It is unfortunate that it happened but that’s the nature of the game when you start 7 newcomers and at least 4 are learning a new position,” said head coach Robert Eakins.

“Add to the fact that they were playing at home made them even more nervous.”

This was shown with 9 strikeouts in the game by the Lady Eagles, 7 coming in their first at bat.

“After everyone first at bat we started to settle down and play competitively but by then we had dug too huge to come out from,” added Eakins.

Whitnee Jenkins, Kasey Kelsay, Iyeshia Thomas, Chentrice Horne, and Victoria Moore all collected singles in the contest. Andrea Fulton took the loss on the mound for MCC.

Game 2 was an entirely different contest as it saw the Lady Eagles commit only 2 errors in the contest and collect 5 timely hits.

In the bottom of the second scored first to take a 2-0 lead in the contest. It opened with Alyssa Daniels (who went the distance to pick up the win on the mound) receiving a walk. After Chentrice Horne received a 1 out walk and Briana Gosselin reaching on a fielder choice to load the bases, Victoria Moore delivered a single to center to score Daniels and Horne. Kasey Kelsay hit into an inning ending double play.

After Hinds responded with a run in the top of the 3rd, Meridian answered with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning.

AIyeshia Thomas lead off with a walk, one out later Whitnee Jenkins launched a triple to right to score Thomas and later scored on a wild pitch.

In the 5th Nakkia Moore reached on a 2 out single. Taquitta Collier, running for Moore, stole 2nd and scored on Jenkins single to left.

Meridian added another insurance run in the bottom of the 6th when Ciera Keller running for Amanda Bordelon, who singled earlier, scored on part of a delayed steal by Victoria Moore.

“It was great to gain a split after the way we played in game one but I am proud of their efforts,” said Eakins.

“We have several players playing out of position, 1 we switched last week. We are young and inexperienced, so it is going to be growing pains. We are probably 3 players away from being a solid ball club at this level. However, they did not make excuses for their mistakes and accepted responsibility. With that attitude I think it can be a fun year.”

The Lady Eagles now prepare to host their annual MCC/Rush Classic at Northeast Park this weekend.