JUCO BASEBALL

Meridian Community College president, Dr. Scott Elliott, threw out the ceremonial first pitch during MCC’s baseball game Tuesday afternoon versus Faulkner State Community College at Scaggs Field. Tuesday’s game was designated MCC Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day by the baseball team.


Faulkner State 11
Meridian 2

Payton Gardner suffered the hard-luck loss Tuesday, allowing five runs, but only one earned, in five innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

The Eagles, who fell to 19-11, committed five errors in the game as Faulkner plated just three earned runs.

Jonathan Pace hit a solo home run in the fifth for MCC, which got its other run after Darren Farmer reached after a strike out on a passed ball. The former West Lauderdale star then scored on an Avi Ahlzadeh single.

Meridian travels to Alabama Southern on Monday.

MCC golf hosts 2nd Annual Lou Hart Invitational this week

(MERIDIAN) -The Meridian Community College golf team will be hosting the 2nd Annual Lou Hart Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, April 5-6 at Northwood Country Club in Meridian.

12 teams representing six states are set to participate in the event named in honor of former MCC golf coach and Hall of Fame member, Lou Hart.

“Coach Hart has meant absolutely everything to this program,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

“She put MCC golf on the national map and to this day still works to help this program out.”

Teams scheduled to participle include: Abraham Baldwin College (home of PGA Tour star Bo Weekly), Central Alabama Community College (5 national championships); Darton College (3 national championships), Faulkner State Community College (1 national championship and home of PGA Tour star Bubba Watson), Georgia Military College (1 national championship), Indian Hills Community College (1 national championship), and South Mountain Community College (1 national championship), among others.

“It really is incredible to look at this field of teams coming to Northwood,” said Covich.

“We have 12 national championships represented, multiple PGA Tour starts have played for these schools and some of the sophomores for these teams have already signed to in the SEC.”

“We’re excited, it’s going to be a challenge but I invite everyone out to watch these future stars. You could be watching the next Bo Weekly or Bubba Watson.”

Meridian is coming off a runner-up finish at the 9th Annual Spring Fling College Classic. So far on the season MCC has registered three wins and three runner-up team finishes.

The Eagles look to keep the momentum going when they enter next week’s event as Coach Covich will feature the same lineup that finished second out of 21 teams at the 9th Annual Spring Fling College Classic.

Sophomore team captain and returning NJCAA All American Garrett Westbrook will start in the No. 1 spot for MCC.

Freshman Brandt Garon, who leads the team in scoring average (72.1) will start in the No. 2 spot, while freshman Clemens Dvorak will be at No. 3 for the Eagles.

Sophomore Cory Williamson and freshman Adam Monson, who each have won medalist titles this season, will round out the starting lineup in the No. 4 and No. 5 spots respectively.

Sophomores Tanner Sparks and Nick Hawkes along with freshmen Oscar Mariscal and Bo Reed will play as individuals for MCC.

The 54-hole event will start on Monday at 8 a.m. with play scheduled for 36 holes. The final round will be played on Tuesday starting at 8 a.m. with an awards ceremony following the conclusion of play.

Clean Sweep

Meridian blasts past Delgado
By Robby Atkinson / Special to The Star The Meridian Star

MERIDIAN — The Meridian Community College Eagles entered the series finale against Delgado looking for a sweep of the Dolphins and the Eagles earned the sweep in impressive fashion. The Eagles scored four runs in the second inning and moved six runs across the plate in the fifth inning to roll over Delgado 14-4 to earn the series sweep of the Dolphins.

The Eagles smashed two more home runs on Sunday after hitting six as a team on Saturday, and got a solid pitching performance from sophomore Blake Hennington. The former Enterprise standout tossed 7 1/3 innings and collected 11 strikeouts in the victory for the Eagles. MCC was also flawless on defense and didn’t commit an error in the contest to complete what might have been the best performance in the 2010 season for the Eagles.

“We did just about everything right today in every part of the game,” said MCC coach Chris Rose. “We got a great start on the mound today from Hennington and played some solid defense behind him.”

The Eagles were very solid on offense once again with 17 total hits and every player in the starting lineup got a least one base hit in the victory on Sunday.

“We hit the baseball very well in all three games,” added Rose. “We got hits yesterday and today with two strikes in the count and that is such a big plus. This is a great sweep for us right out of the gate in conference and coming against a team like Delgado is even better. I am very proud of our guys and we really came together and played some great baseball this weekend.”

Delgado (21-13, 0-3) came out and grabbed a quick 1-0 lead over Meridian in the top of the first inning by way of a home run. Kirk Cunningham blasted a solo shot over the wall in left field to give the Dolphins a quick lead over MCC. The Dolphins were able to hold the lead until the Eagles used a big inning of its own to take a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning.

Alan Williams led the inning off by reaching first on a hit by pitch, Michael LeGrange followed with a single, and Graham Spencer reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases for MCC with no outs. Kenny Roberts drove the first run in for MCC on a single to tie the game at 1-1 and the Eagles took the lead as Corey Dickerson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give MCC a 2-1 edge over Delgado.

The final two runs on the frame came on RBI groundouts to extend the MCC lead to 4-1 over Delgado. The Dolphins crept back in the game with a pair of runs in the third inning to cut the Meridian lead to 4-3. Cory Guidry led the inning off with a walk and Lucas LeBlanc followed with a single to put a pair of runners on for the Dolphins. Beau Boudreaux knocked one run in on an RBI groundout and the next run scored on an RBI single by Cunningham to draw Delgado to within one run at 4-3. The Eagles would run away with the game in the fifth inning as MCC scored six times to move to an 11-3 lead over Delgado. Ben Kingsley led the inning off with a walk and Darren Farmer followed with a walk to set the table for freshman designated hitter Avi Ahlzadeh. The Eagles pushed its lead to 7-3 after Ahlzadeh smashed a three-run homer over the wall in right field and bring all of the momentum into the MCC dugout. Dickerson added a two-run single in the six-run fifth inning for the Eagles and Kingsley added an RBI single in the fifth.

The Eagles scored one run in the sixth and eighth innings, and added two runs in the seventh inning to propel to the run rule victory over Delgado. Spencer drove a run in on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, Dickerson had a solo homer in the seventh inning, and Drew Crosy added an RBI single in the eighth inning for the Eagles.

Dickerson hit two home runs this weekend in the series against Delgado and moved his total to 13 home runs for the season. Jonathan Pace had two hits in the game for MCC with a single and a double, while LeGrange had two hits which included a single and a double for MCC.

MCC (19-10, 3-0) returns to action on Tuesday against Faulkner State in a single game at Scaggs Field which begins at 2 p.m.

Sweep Miss-Lou start for MCC

Eagles take pair from rival Dolphins

By Robby Atkinson/Special to The Star The Meridian Star

MERIDIAN — The Meridian Community College Eagles knew coming into its first weekend of Miss-Lou Conference play against Delgado that the test would be difficult, but the Eagles passed with flying colors.

MCC used late-inning heroics from freshman Kenny Roberts and several long home runs to secure a 9-8, 11-4 doubleheader sweep of the Dolphins on Saturday at Scaggs Field. MCC (18-10, 2-0) used six home runs in the sweep of Delgado and got solid starting pitching in both victories.

"Anytime you can get a sweep it is nice, but when it comes against a team like Delgado it is very special," said MCC coach Chris Rose. "We hit some key home runs today and a couple came with two strikes in the count. We battled hard today and I am very proud of the whole team and the great effort that we showed today."

MCC is currently riding a five winning streak after taking the sweep of Delgado and the Dolphins dropped to 21-12 overall. MCC will look to wrap up the series sweep of Delgado today with a single game beginning at 1 p.m. Sophomore Blake Hennington will draw the start on the mound for the Eagles as they also look for their fourth straight win against Delgado dating back to last season.


Meridian 9
Delgado 8

Roberts, a former Meridian High standout, drove in the game-winning run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning to give MCC the one-run victory in Game 1. Roberts finished Game 1 with three singles and the game winning RBI for the Eagles.

"We lost the lead in the top of the seventh and we really showed a lot of character by coming back and pushing those two runs across the plate that we needed to get that win," added Rose. "He (Roberts) did a great job at the plate by putting the ball in play and helping us secure that win in game one."

MCC did trail the game early as Delgado scored in the top of the first inning to make the score 1-0. MCC starting pitcher Alan Williams surrendered two walks and hit a batter to load the bases for the Dolphins. Donnie White drove the first run of the game in on an RBI single. The Eagles responded in a big way with three runs that came way by a towering home run to make the score 3-1. Corey Dickerson led the inning off with an infield single and Ben Kinglsey later reached on a single to put a pair of runners on for Meridian. Former West Lauderdale standout Darren Farmer would put the Eagles in the lead moments later with the three-run home run over the wall in left field.

Delgado answered the MCC three-run first inning with a pair of runs to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the second inning. Stefan Farrell led the inning off with a double and Cory Guidry followed with a walk to put a pair of base runners on for the Dolphins. Beau Boudreaux delivered a two-run double off the wall in left field to tie the game.

The Eagles took the lead once again and Farmer would lead the charge for Meridian and make the score 5-3 in the bottom of the third inning. Dickerson led the inning off with a double and Kingsley drew a walk moments later to set the table for the freshman catcher. Farmer drove both runs in on a double to left to give MCC a two-run edge. The Eagles continued to pour on the offense in the fourth inning to extend its lead to 7-3 as Dickerson continued his great day by smashing a two-run home run over the wall in center field to push.

Delgado stormed back with three runs in the sixth inning to cut the Meridian lead to 7-6. Scott Fabre drove in a pair of runs in the inning on a two-run home run and Kirk Cunningham added an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Delgado used the momentum from the sixth inning to score a pair of runs in the seventh inning to take an 8-7 lead against MCC in the final inning of action. Both runs scored on a two-run home run by White.

Kinglsey led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double and later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to right by Hunter Trawick to tie the game at 8-8. After the Eagles loaded the bases with two outs, Roberts delivered the game-winning single to left to give Meridian a walk-off victory against its arch-rival.

Peyton Gardner earned the pitching victory in relief and Michael Wisecarver took the loss on the mound for Delgado. Farmer led the way in Game 1 with five RBIs and Dickerson ended the game with three hits and two RBIs.


MCC 11
Delgado 4
Williams connected on two home runs and Jonathan Thompson tossed five strong innings on the mound to lead MCC to the Game 2 victory.

The Eagles scored four runs in the third inning and two of those runs came by way of home runs. MCC rolled into the second game with momentum and used that to its advantage to score in the opening inning and make the score 1-0. Dickerson led the inning off by reaching on a Delgado throwing error and later crossed the plate on an RBI fielder's choice by Kingsley to give Meridian the early lead.

The Dolphins were able to tie the game in the second inning thanks to an RBI double by Jade Falgoust and make the score 1-1. The Eagles took the lead back with a pair of runs in the second inning when Roberts drove in the second run of the game on a single and Dickerson added yet another hit to his total by knocking in the third run for MCC.

Delgado would not go away quietly as the Dolphins scored a pair of runs in the top of the third inning to tie the score once again at 3-3. Farrell knocked in one of the runs in the frame on a single and second run of the inning scored on a fielder's choice for Delgado.

MCC ran away with the game in the third inning with four runs to take a 7-3 lead against the Dolphins. Farmer led the inning off with a solo home run and Williams followed with a solo shot of his own to extend the Meridian lead to 5-3. Michael LeGrange continued the momentum for MCC with a double and later scored on an RBI single by Graham Spencer to push the MCC lead to 6-3. Catcher Chase Hesson ended the huge inning for MCC with an RBI double to move the score to 7-3.

MCC added two more runs in fourth inning and one run in the sixth and seventh innings to move to the 11-4 win. Williams added a solo home run in the fourth and LeGrange also had a solo home run in the inning as well for Meridian.

Delgado scored its only other run in the fifth inning on an infield error by MCC.

MCC Tennis wins over Mississippi Gulf Coast

The Meridian Community College men's and women's teams continued their winning streaks today at Northeast Tennis Center in Meridian in matches against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

The MCC men and women both claimed 9-0 victories.

In men's singles Lucio Cangiano, Gabriel Nicotra, Andres Cepede, Jeremy Purdum, and Wade Henderson claimed victories at the 1-5 spots respectively. Kyle Dew won at number six singles by forfeit as MGCCC only had five players on this date.

In doubles, Nicotra/Purdum of MCC won the number one spot and Brandyn Landry/Dew won at number two doubles.

MCC won the three doubles by forfeit.The men are now 5-1 on the season.

In women's action, Anna Vavrik, Aline Ferreira, Savannah Zachry, Kaley Allen, Jessica Halterman, and Indi Mire won their singles matches easily.

At doubles, the number one team of Vavrik/Ferreira, the number two team of Halterman/Zachry and the number three team of Sumner Brown and Shelley Munn claimed victories.

The women are now 6-1 on the season.

Meridian's men will return to action Sunday against Gadsden State at 12:00 noon at Northeast Tennis Center.

Both teams will travel to Itawamba CC for matches on March 30.

MCC runner-up at Spring Fling

-Garon, Westbrook All Tournament Team

(SCOTTSBORO, Ala.) - For the second time in three days, the Meridian Community College golf team fired a 5-under par team score of 283 at the 9th Annual Spring Fling College Classic played at Goose Pond Golf Course in Scottsboro, AL.

MCC, who started the day in third place, climbed the leader board to claim runner-up in the annual college event for the second consecutive year.

Five-time NJCAA national champion- Central Alabama won the event with 10-under par (854), Meridian claimed runner-up at 5-under par (859), while three-time NJCAA national champion- Darton College finished in third place with even par (864). Walters State came in fourth place at 7-over par (871) and reigning NJCAA national champion- John A. Logan College rounded out the top five at 14-over par (878).

123 players representing 21 teams participated in the three day, 54-hole event.

On the final day, sophomore Cory Williamson of Collins, Mississippi, led MCC with a final round 3-under par, 69.

Freshman Brandt Garon shot a 2-under par, 70 on Saturday.

2009 NJCAA All American, sophomore Garrett Westbrook posted a 1-under par, 71, while freshman Clemens Dvorak shot a 1-over, 73.

Freshman Adam Monsen rounded out MCC's scoring on the final day with a 3-over par, 75.

"Our goal entering the event was to finish at even par or better for the week," said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

"We certainly achieved that and more, a 5-under par total gives us a lot of confidence before hosting in two weeks."

Individually, Zach Primavera (Central Alabama), Lewis Gruber (Central Alabama) and Taylor Welborn (Darton) all tied for medalist at 6-under par and went into a playoff. Gruber won on the first hole with a par.

For the 54-hole event, Garrett Westbrook led MCC with a 3-under total (213). Westbrook ended the event in a tie for fourth place.

Brandt Garon was one stroke behind with a 2-under total (214) and finished in a tie for sixth place.

Both Garon and Westbrook were named to the All Tournament team.

Cory Williamson came in at even-par (216) for the event and finished in a tie for tenth.

Clemens Dvorak had a 4-over par total (220) and placed in 18th.

Adam Monsen ended up with a 9-over three day total (225) and cam in tied for 28th.

The Eagles will be back in action April 5-6 at Northwood Country Club in Meridian, as they host the 2nd annual Lou Hart Invitational.



9th Annual Ron Marshall Spring Fling
Goose Pond Colony
Scottsboro, AL
Dates: 3/18-20/2010
Par 72, 7101 yards, Slope 125, Rating 71.7
Team Scores Total Par
1 Central Alabama CC Trojans 277 290 287 854 -10
2 Meridian (MS) CC Eagles 283 293 283 859 -5
3 Darton (GA) College Cavaliers 291 282 291 864 E
4 Walters State (TN) CC Senators 286 293 292 871 +7
5 John A. Logan (IL) Volunteers 287 295 296 878 +14
6 Wallace (AL) State CC Lions 295 286 308 889 +25
7 Faulkner (AL) St CC Sun Chiefs 292 299 302 893 +29
8 Rend Lake (IL) Coll Warriors 291 308 304 903 +39
9 Mott CC Bears 311 306 304 921 +57
10 Vincennes (IN) U. Trailblazers 302 309 316 927 +63
11 Andrew (GA) College Tigers 315 304 309 928 +64
12 Parkland (IL) College Cobras 315 311 316 942 +78
13 Grand Rapids CC Raiders 309 323 314 946 +82
14 Kaskaskia (IL) Coll Blue Devil 309 323 326 958 +94
15 Georgia Military Coll Bulldogs 318 309 334 961 +97
t16 Illinois Central Coll Cougars 322 323 318 963 +99
t16 Muskegon CC Jayhawks 323 321 319 963 +99
18 Springfield (IL) Coll Bullodgs 327 327 320 974 +110
19 Carl Sandburg (IL) Chargers 320 325 332 977 +113
20 Southwestern Illinois Blue Str 335 339 329 1003 +139
21 Lincoln (IL) College Lynx 341 340 352 1033 +169


Meridian (MS) CC Eagles
TEAM SCORE- 283 293 283 859 -5 2nd
Westbrook, Garrett 69 73 71 213 -3 4th
Garon, Brandt 71 73 70 214 +2 7th
Williamson, Cory 72 75 69 216 E t-11th
Dvorak, Clemens 71 76 73 220 +4 18th
Monsen, Adam 78 72 75 225 +9 t-28th

Eagles in third at Spring Fling, final round Friday

SCORES: www.mccaa.org/10springfling

(SCOTTSBORO, Ala.) - The Meridian Community College golf team shot a 293 (+5) team score during the second round of the 9th Annual Spring Fling College Classic at Goose Pond Golf Course on Friday afternoon in Scottsboro, AL.

The Eagles are even-par as a team after 36 holes, MCC shot a 283 (-5) on Thursday to open up the event.

"We lost a little ground today, but still played solid golf," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"It will take our best effort tomorrow, but being even par after two rounds is always a good thing."

Central Alabama leads the field at 9-under par, Darton College is 2-under par in second place, while Meridian is even-par in third. Walters State is 3-over in fourth while Wallace State rounds out the top five at 5-over.

123 players representing 21 teams are participating in the three day, 54-hole event.

Freshman Adam Monsen led the way for MCC Friday with a team low, 72 (E). Brandt Garon and Garrett Westbrook each posted rounds of 73 (+1) for MCC. Cory Williamson of Collins, MS shot a 75 (+3), while Clemens Dvorak had a 76 (+4).

MCC will be paired with Central Alabama, Darton and Walters State tomorrow for the final 18 holes begining at 8 am.

MCC in second at Spring Fling, Eagles shoot 5-under

Full field results will be posted at:

http://www.mccaa.org/10springfling.htm


Westbrook fires 69 (-3)

(SCOTTSBORO, Ala.) - The Meridian Community College golf team shot a team score of 5-under par (283) in the first round of the 9th annual Spring Fling College Classic played at Goose Pond Golf Course in Scottsboro, AL.

Meridian had three players shoot under par as they posted their fourth under par team score this year, in addition Thursday's 283 is the second lowest score of the season for MCC.

"The saying goes: you can't win it on the first day but you can lose it," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"We achieved our goal of under par, now we just need to do it again tomorrow and be in position to win this thing on the last day."

Individually, the Eagles were led by NJCAA All American Garrett Westbrook. The sophomore from Baton Rouge shot 3-under, 69. Westbrook is two shots back of the lead, as Paul Harris of Central Alabama shot 67 (-5).

Eagle freshmen Clemens Dvorak and Brandt Garon both shot 1-under par rounds of 71 on Thursday.

MCC sophomore Cory Williamson of Collins, MS posted an even-par, 72.

Meridian freshman Adam Monsen shot 6-over, 78.

123 players representing 21 teams from 7 states are participating in the event.

Central Alabama leads the field with a 277 while MCC is in second place with a 283, Walters State is in third place at 286, defending NJCAA champions, John A. Logan College is in fourth place with a 287.

Play continues tomorrow with 18 holes and the final round concludes on Friday with 18 holes.

MCC will be paired with John A. Logan and three-time NJCAA national champion, Darton College tomorrow at 1:30 pm.

Final round will begin at 8:00 am on Friday with a shot-gun start.

MCC Tennis Teams Take Road Wins

In a weekend of competition, Meridian Community College traveled to Alexander City, AL for dual match play and ended the weekend in both men’s and women’s play 2-1.

In women’s action Meridian faced off against perennial powerhouse Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College out of Tipton, GA. Meridian ladies climbed a big hurdle this weekend with a win over ABAC 5-4. This was the first time an MCC team has beaten ABAC. In singles action, Anna Vavrik, Aline Ferreira, Savannah Zachry, and Jessica Halterman won matches at 1-4 singles respectively. Halterman and Zachry sealed the win at no. 2 doubles by defeating A. Gamboa and L. Smith 8-4. The men were not as fortunate as they lost 1-8. The only win of the day for the men was at no. 3 singles where Andres Cepede defeated T. Johnston 2-6, 6-4, 10-5. Gabriel Nicotra at no. 2 singles and Kyle Dew at no. 6 singles split sets with their opponents but lost their matches.

In the second match of the day, Meridian’s ladies lost to Central Florida Community College 7-2 in a very controversial match. Meridian, due to the controversy, forfeited the no. 1 doubles and forfeited the no. 1 singles at 8-8 in a third set tiebreak. At no. 3 singles, MCC’s Savannah Zachry defeated Amanda Irgilli 6-1, 6-1 and at no. 5 singles MCC’s Kaley Allen defeated Savannah Sapienizo 6-4, 7-6.

On Saturday, the men’s team defeated Gadsden State (AL) 8-1. The only loss came at no. 2 doubles. MCC’s Wade Henderson and Brandyn Landry lost 8-4 to Colt Kelley and Austin Miller. In the second match of the day, the men defeated St. Joseph College, a four-year DII school out of Indiana, 9-0. Meridian’s men only gave up eighteen games in 15 sets of match play. Meridian’s men are now 3-2 on the season with its only losses to DI University of Memphis and ABAC.

In women’s action Saturday, MCC’s women defeated a ranked Florida Community College Jacksonville team 6-3. Meridian’s Anna Vavrik, currently no. 7 in the nation, defeated Lindy Winter 6-3, 6-1. At no. 3 singles, former Madison Central standout Savannah Zachry extended her singles career at MCC to 5-0 with a win over Molly Lentini 6-3, 6-4. MCC’s Kaley Allen defeated Dliana Ramirez at no. 5 singles 6-4, 6-3. In doubles action, MCC’s Vavrik and Aline Ferreira defeated Lindy Winter and Molly Lentini 8-3. Halterman and Zachry lost a close match 9-7. MCC won the no. 6 singles and the no. 3 doubles by forfeits. The women are now 3-1 on the season.

The men return to action this week against Marion Military Institute at Marion on Tuesday. Both teams will host Hinds Community College Wednesday at Northeast Tennis Center at 2:00. The women travel to Boaz, AL on Thursday and both teams travel to Fulton to square off against Itawamba on Friday.

MCC Sports This Week….

Monday
1 pm Softball @ Shelton State Tuscaloosa, AL
1 pm Baseball @ Bossier-Parish Vicksburg, MS

Tuesday
3 pm Softball vs John Woods MERIDIAN

Wednesday
2 pm Baseball vs Kishwaukee MERIDIAN
2 pm Tennis vs Hinds MERIDIAN

Thursday
12 pm Golf @ Battle on the Pond II Scottsboro, AL
2 pm Tennis @ Snead State Boaz, AL
2 pm Baseball vs Jones County MERIDIAN

Friday
8 am Golf @ Battle on the Pond II Scottsboro, AL
1 pm Tennis @ Itawamba Fulton, MS
2 pm Baseball @ Lurleen B Wallace Andalusia, AL
TBA Softball @ NW Florida Tourney Niceville, FL

Saturday
TBA Softball @ NW Florida Tourney Niceville, FL

Sunday
TBA Softball @ NW Florida Tourney Niceville, FL

Ahlzadeh slams Eagles to victory

The Meridian Star
By Robby Atkinson / Special to The Star

MERIDIAN — The Meridian Community College Eagles needed a big hit at the right time and got just that on Sunday at Scaggs Field. Freshman Avi Ahlzadeh drilled a three run double that broke a 5-5 tie in the seventh inning as MCC held on for a narrow 8-7 win over Kaskaskia College.

The Eagles improved to 12-5 with the victory over the Blue Devils on Sunday and seem to be clicking on all cylinders after the second win of the weekend over Kaskaskia.

“The three run seventh inning was very big of course,” said MCC head coach Chris Rose. “We made some good defensive plays behind our pitchers today and we got those big hits at the right time. I am proud of our guys for battling late in the game and we never quit.”

MCC defeated Kaskaskia back on Friday 5-2 and the Eagles will return to action today on the road to take on Bossier Parish in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. in Vicksburg. The Eagles will return to action at Scaggs Field on Wednesday in a doubleheader against Kishwaukee and take on Jones Thursday in another doubleheader. All of the games at home this week for the Eagles will begin at 2 p.m.

Kaskaskia (1-3) came out swinging the bats well early in the game to take a 1-0 lead over MCC. Josh Rosol reached base on a walk for the Blue Devils and later crossed the plate on an RBI single by Anthony Even to give Kaskaskia the 1-0 lead over MCC.

The Eagles answered in the bottom of the first inning with a long home run to tie the game at 1-1. Sophomore Corey Dickerson belted his sixth home run of the season to led off the inning and tie the score at 1-1. The Eagles would eventually take its first lead of the game with a lone run in the third inning to make the score 2-1.

Dickerson reached base on a double and came around to score moments later on a single by shortstop Jonathan Pace to make the score 2-1. The Eagles continued to extend its lead with yet another run in the fifth inning to make the score 3-1. Dickerson led the inning off with another double and would come in to score on a sacrifice fly by Ben Kingsley to give Meridian a two-run cushion.

The Blue Devils would mount a big inning that would erase the MCC lead in the sixth inning and give Kaskaskia a 5-3 lead over the Eagles. Mason Rovenstine led the inning off with a walk and Ben Tinklin followed with a single to put a pair of runners on for Kaskaskia.

MCC made a move to the bullpen and brought in freshman Daniel Allen to relive starter Alan Williams who worked 5 1/3 innings and collected five strikeouts. Allen entered the game for Meridian and surrendered a double to Ben Campbell that brought the score to 3-2. The most unlikely hit would come moments later that would give Kaskaskia its first lead of the game

Troy Davis entered the game to pinch hit for the Blue Devils and gave Kaskaskia the lead on a two-run double that made the score 4-3. The Blue Devils added one more run in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Josh Rosol that made the score 5-3. The lead would not last very long for the visitors as MCC would hit another home run and tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Former Meridian High standout Kenny Roberts blasted a two-run homer over the wall in left field to bring life back into the Eagles and tie the score at 5-5.

Roberts currently leads the team in the home run department with seven round trippers and hits ninth in the Meridian lineup.

MCC would take the lead for good with the big blow of the game from Ahlzadeh in the seventh to make the score 8-5. Pace led the seventh inning off with a single and Kingsely reached base on a double, while catcher Darren Farmer drew an intentional walk to set the table for Ahlzadeh. The Atlanta, GA native connected on a belt high pitch and drove a double to left center that score three runs and made the score 8-5 in favor of MCC.

Kaskaskia scored one run in the eighth and ninth inning, but it would not be enough as MCC held on for the 8-7 victory. Allen earned the pitching win out of the bullpen for MCC and former West Lauderdale standout Dustin McWilliams earned a save going an 1 2/3 for the Eagles.

Dickerson led the way for MCC with three hits including two doubles and Pace added three singles for the Eagles. The first three hitters in the lineup for the Eagles got eight of the 12 hits in the game for MCC. Paul Ritzheimer led the way for the Blue Devils with three hits and Campbell ended the contest with three hits including a double for Kaskaskia.

Eagles take Game 1 from Kaskaskia

from staff reports
The Meridian Star

MERIDIAN - Meridian Community College starter Blake Hennington silenced the Kaskaskia bats Friday at Scaggs Field. Behind Hennington's seven shutout innings and 12 strikeouts, the Eagles won 5-2.

Wile Hennington was shutting down Kaskaskia, former West Lauderdale standout Darren Farmer and Meridian High product Kenny Roberts were powering the MCC offense. Farmer doubled in a run with two outs in the first inning to stake the Eagles to a 1-0 lead. Roberts then added a two-out RBI single in the second following a single and stolen base from Kenny Sanders.

Leading just 2-0, MCC struck for a pair of runs in the seventh as Farmer doubled in his second run of the game to plate Jonathan Pace. Avi Ahlzadeh then hit a sacrifice fly to score Ben Kingsley, who also scored in the first.

After Kaskaskia rallied with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth, Roberts answered with his sixth home run of the season.

MCC (11-5) hosts Kaskaskia at 2 p.m. Sunday on Poplar Springs Elementary Day at Scaggs Field.

The Eagles, who were scheduled to face Bossier Parrish in Vicksburg on Tuesday, will now face Bossier Parrish at Bazinsky Field in Vicksburg on Monday.

MCC golf preps for “Battle”

Battle on the Pond II
John A. Logan (IL) College vs. Meridian (MS) Community College
Thursday-Friday, March 11-12, 2010
Goose Pond Golf Course/Scottsboro, AL

The Meridian Community College and John A. Logan College golf teams will meet for the 2nd annual “Battle on the Pond” Thursday and Friday, March 11-12, 2010. The event will feature two of the most prominent NJCAA golf programs in a two day, 54-hole, ‘Ryder Cup’ format held at the Goose Pond Golf Course, in Scottsboro, AL.
Goose Pond Golf Course serves as the host site of the NJCAA DII men’s golf championship and the annual Spring Fling College Classic.

Last season, John A. Logan captured the inaugural Battle on the Pond over MCC by a final of 18.5 points to 17.5 points.

Scoring will once again feature stroke play matches with the low front nine score worth one point, low back nine score worth one point and total 18 hole score worth one point.

“This is a great, one of a kind event between two of the best junior college programs in the country,” said MCC coach Sean Covich.

“We play this on a fun golf course in a unique format- the guys have been talking about this one for a while and we’re looking forward to trying to avenge last years one point loss.”

As member of the NJCAA DII men’s golf program, John A. Logan is undoubtedly one of the top performing teams in the country. The Volunteers are the defending NJCAA DII national champions, winning the title at Goose Pond last May. The Vols have won six of the past eight Region 24 Tournament titles and qualified for eight consecutive appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament. Never finishing lower than sixth at nationals, Logan has produced the last six individual Region 24 Tournament medalists, and seven Volunteers have earned All-American honors.

A longtime member of the NJCAA DII and now a NJCAA DI program, Meridian, is considered one of the best teams in the nation. The Eagles have won 11 Region 23 titles since 1991, including six out of the last nine seasons. MCC has qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament multiple times, claiming four top five finishes, including a second place finish in 1998. MCC has produced eight Region 23 medalists, and 16 Eagles have earned All American honors. Currently the Eagles are ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA according to Golfstat.com.

Thursday afternoon will feature three four-ball matches with two players from each school paired up against two from the other school as they compete against each other in four-ball matches.

Friday will feature a morning and afternoon session. In the morning, the schools with pair up again for four-ball matches and then in the afternoon the format will feature six singles matches.

Each match is worth three points (one point for best front nine score, one point for best back nine score and one point for best overall score).

36 points total are up for grabs with 18 ½ needed to win the 2nd annual Battle on the Pond.

Format:
Thursday, March 11, 2010- 11 AM start
Four-Ball Matches
Match #1 JALC/JALC vs. MCC/MCC
Match #2 JALC/JALC vs. MCC/MCC
Match #3 JALC/JALC vs. MCC/MCC

Friday, March 12, 2010- 8 AM start
Four-Ball Matches
Match #1 JALC/JALC vs. MCC/MCC
Match #2 JALC/JALC vs. MCC/MCC
Match #3 JALC/JALC vs. MCC/MCC

Friday, March 12, 2010- 1 PM start
Single Matches
Match #1 JALC vs. MCC
Match #2 JALC vs. MCC
Match #3 JALC vs. MCC
Match #4 JALC vs. MCC
Match #5 JALC vs. MCC
Match #6 JALC vs. MCC

Indians shoot down Lady Eagles in Region 23

By Daniel Rigdon / Sports Writer
The Meridian Star

CLINTON — The Meridian Community College women's basketball team saw its season come to an end Monday night as Itawamba shooters caught fire and took the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament opener 88-60 in A.E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi College.

"We played a very good team tonight," said Meridian coach Hilary Allen. "They shot the ball extremely well."

The Indians did just that as they shot 46 percent from 3-point range, while shooting 53 percent overall on the night. Meridian shot just 33 percent from the floor in the contest.

Itawamba set the tone early as it scored five points in the first 40 seconds and at the 13-minute mark led the Eagles 15-7

MCC showed some resolve going on a 14-7 run over the next nine minutes to pull within one point of ICC at 22-21.

Unfortunately for Meridian, that was as close as it would get.

Itawamba immediately responded to the Eagles' rally by hitting three 3-pointers within a two-minute span to push the lead to 10, the first double-digit lead of the night and MCC entered the locker room at halftime down 37-27.

The Indians went 11-24 from 3-point land on the night.

"They were a real difficult team for us to matchup with," added Allen. "In essence they had five guards and I attempted to go to a five-guard lineup. They were just better than us at those five positions."

Itawamba got even hotter in the second half dropping in 19 points in the first five minutes of play to give itself a 20-point cushion.

From there, the Eagles were never able to hit their stride and eventually gave up the loss and an end to its season.

"They shot the ball extremely well even up to the last second of the game," noted Allen. "It's just a disappointing loss to a tough season."

MCC was led by Amber Fields with 14 points, while Sharda'e Johnson and LaDarica Campbell each registered nine on the night.

Itawamba got a game-high 23 points from Birdie Bowens, while Anna Dill scored 20 and Mandy Collins went for 18.

The Eagles end their season with a record of 24-7 and a Miss-Lou Conference title to their credit.

ICC 88, MCC 60
ICC 37 51 — 88
MCC 27 33 — 60

ICC (88) — Birdie Bowens 23, Anna Dill 20, Mandy Collins 18, Ebony Williams 15, Lori Crudup 8, Vetrorra Cole 2, Destini Shannon 2. FG 32, FT 13-21, F 19. (3-pointers: Bowens 5, Dill 3, Collins 2, Williams 1. Fouled out: none.)
MCC (60) — Amber Fields 14, Sharda'e Johnson 9, LaDarica Campbell 9, Bianca Powell 8, Tiara Logan 7, LaQuita Burrough 6, Porsha Wilson 4, Tay Odneal 2, Matika Sterling 1. FG 18, FT 20-25, F 18. (3-pointers: Powell 2, Johnson 1, Logan 1. Fouled out: none.)


At A.E. Wood
Results from Monday’s action at the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament at A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton.

Region 23 Women
First Round
East Mississippi 71, Jones County 56
Baton Rouge 73, Northwest Mississippi 69
Co-Lin vs. Southwest Mississippi
Itawamba 88, Meridian 60

Tuesday’s slate of games at the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament at A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton.

Region 23 Men
First Round
Jones County vs. Itawamba, Noon
Pearl River vs. Southern-Shreveport, 2 p.m.
Delgado vs. Hinds, 6 p.m.
East Mississippi vs. Northeast Mississippi, 8 p.m.

MCC's Monsen wins Faulkner State Inv.

Eagles climb to fourth

(FAIRHOPE, Ala.) - The final round of the 2010 Faulkner State Invitational Tuesday featured wind gust up to 25 mph and temperatures in the mid-30's at Rock Creek Golf Club as Meridian Community College golf team battled back.

MCC improved one shot from their first round score of 307 to post the lowest team score of the day, a 306, on Tuesday to move from fifth place up to fourth place.

The Eagles were once again led by freshman Adam Monsen who posted a 75 on the final day.

Monsen won the medalist title in a playoff against Central Alabama's Barrett Milam. Both players shot a 147 to tie for first, and Monsen birdied the second playoff hole to claim the medalist honors. This was Monsen's third consecutive top ten finish and his first career individual win.

Freshman Clemens Dvorak also posted a 75 on day two. Dvorak shot 154 for the event.

Freshman Brandt Garon shot 78 on the final day to match Dvorak with a 154 two day total.

Sophomore Cory Williamson posted a 78 on Tuesday to finish with a 160 total, while sophomore Garrett Westbrook continued to struggle with a final round 88. Westbrook finished with a 168.

In the team standings, Central Alabama won the event with a 601, while wallace State came in second with a 610. Brevard was third with a 611, MCC in fourth with 613 and Spring Hill College and the University of Mobile tied for fifth with a 620.

Nine teams competed in the event.

MCC 306-307= 613 (4th out of 9)

Adam Monsen 72-75=147 Medalist
Clemens Dvorak 75-79=154
Brandt Garon 78-76=154
Cory Williamson 78-82=160
Garrett Westbrook 80-88=168

Team standings:
1. Central Alabama 601
2. Wallace State 610
3. Brevard 611
4. Meridian 613
t5. Spring Hill 620
t5. Univ of Mobile 620
7. Faulkner State 638
8. Miss Gulf Coast 646
9. Faulkner Univ 677

Monsen leads Meridian at Fualkner State

(FAIRHOPE, Ala.) - Despite an even-par performance from freshman Adam Monsen, the Meridian Community College golf team struggled in the opening round of the Faulkner State Invitational. MCC posted a 307 team score on Monday and is in fifth place out of nine teams.

The two day, 36 hole event is being played at Rock Creek Golf Club.

Monsen led the Eagles on day one with an even-par round of 72 and is tied for fourth in the medalist race entering the final round on Tuesday.

Eagle freshman Brandt Garon shot a 4-over 76 on Monday.

Freshman Clemens Dvorak shot a 7-over 79, while sophomores Garrett Westbrook and Cory Williamson both struggled with rounds of 80 and 82 respectively.

The No. 2 ranked team in the NJCAA, Central Alabama leads the event after a 291, Wallace State is in second with a 296, Brevard is third with a 300 and Spring Hill College is fourth with 303. MCC sits in fifth place with a 307, University of Mobile is in sixth with a 310. Faulkner State shot a 316 and is in seventh, while Mississippi Gulf Coast shot 325 and is in eighth place. Faulkner University shot a 338 and rounds out the field in ninth place.

Individually, Wallace State's Deane Rikard leads the field with a 3-under, 69. Eddie Smith from Spring Hill College and Jud Milam of Central Alabama are tied for second with 1-under par 71.

Final round action concludes Tuesday with an 18 hole round.

MCC 307 (5th out of 9)
Adam Monsen 72 (E)
Brandt Garon 76 (+4)
Clemens Dvorak 79 (+7)
Garrett Westbrook 80 (+8)
Cory Williamson 82 (+10)

Team standings:
1. Central Alabama 291
2. Wallace St 296
3. Brevard 300
4. Spring Hill 303
5. Meridian 307
6. Univ of Mobile 310
7. Faulkner St 316
8. MS Gulf Coast 325
9. Faulkner Univ 338