Gregory to speak at MCC’s Lou Hart Invitational Banquet

By Daniel Rigdon / Sports Writer
The Meridian Star





MERIDIAN — More than 60 junior college golfers and coaches will be in for a touching treat on Monday night as D.J. Gregory will be speaking at the 3rd annual Lou Hart Invitational Banquet in the Dulaney room of Webb Hall on the Meridian Community College Campus.

Gregory, who was featured in 2008 in the ESPN E:60 feature "Walk On", was born with cerebral palsy, underdeveloped lungs and tangled legs. He was told he would never walk. He could only crawl around his house for the first few years of his life.

Be that as it may, five surgeries before he entered the first grade enabled him to learn to walk with a cane.

"I met him (Gregory) in December at Shell Landing Golf Club," said MCC golf coach Sean Covich. "I just started talking to him because I had seen his stuff on ESPN and the Golf Channel and it was an awesome story. I asked him if he speaks at events and he said, 'Yeah, I go around the country when I'm not at tour events and give talks.'

"I asked him if he would come to the Lou Hart and he said yes."

Gregory picked up golf at the age of 9 and developed a love for the sport. So much in fact that he set a goal of walking every hole of every tournament on the PGA tour in 2008. That's 44 tournaments in 45 weeks.

More than 3,200 holes and 988 miles of walking later he accomplished his goal all the while following different players during their rounds and writing about it in a blog.

He will be sharing his story in full at the banquet in hopes of inspiring and encouraging what could be future tour players.

"Hopefully his story will inspire the players and also let them know no to take things for granted," added Covich. "Being a college golfer or athlete, you can kind of do that some times. D.J. has been able to use his disability to inspire others. Hopefully he will also give the players a good perspective too."

Gregory will be out at the tournament, which is hosted at Northwood Country Club, on both Monday and Tuesday before heading out to Augusta, Ga., on Wednesday for the Masters.

Covich thinks it will be a good experience for the players to talk with Gregory and get some insight into how things are on the tour and what the players are like.

"There are going to be around 60 players here this week and some of these guys are going to play SEC golf and Division I golf and hopefully eventually make it to the tour," said Covich. "It will be cool when they get to the tour and remember what D.J. told them so that they can give back and influence others. That's his message, don't let anyone stop you and always give back.

"Plus he's been out there on tour so he can give us some pointers on how these tour players practice and how they treat other people. What they are really like off and on the golf course."

Along with continuing to follow every tournament, Gregory also runs the website www.walkingforkids.org. The website is set up to help kids with disabilities that enjoy sports. You can also follow the website on facebook at www.facebook.com/walkingforkids.

Numerous tour professionals contribute to Gregory's charity.

This week in MCC Sports

Baseball
Tuesday 6:00 pm @ Shelton State Tuscaloosa, AL
Wednesday 2:00 pm @ Alabama Southern Thomasville, AL
Saturday 2:00 pm @ Delgado New Orleans, LA
Sunday 2:00 pm @ Delgado New Orleans, LA

Golf
Wednesday 2:00 pm @ Mississippi State West Point, MS

Softball
Monday 1:00 pm @ Bishop State Brewton, AL
Thursday 1:00 pm @ Marion Military Marion, AL
Saturday 2:00 pm @ LSU Eunice Eunice, LA

Tennis
Thursday TBA @ Seminole Seminole, OK Friday TBA @ Seminole Seminole, OK Saturday TBA @ Seminole Seminole, OK

Freshmen continue streak, three straight Eagle Cups

(MERIDIAN) – Clear skies and windy conditions greeted the competitors on Wednesday, the final day of Eagle Cup X, played at historic Northwood Country Club. The Freshmen team came into the final day clinging to a 2 point lead (4-2) over the Sophomores.

Six points were up for grabs on the final day as the format turned to singles match play, with the Freshmen team needing just 2 ½ points to secure the Cup and the Sophomore team needing a 1999- USA Ryder Cup – style comeback as they had to earn 4 ½ points on Wednesday to take back the Cup for the first time since 2009.

Match #1 featured some of the big guns as Freshman team captain Jake Stirling took on Sophomore team captain Clemens Dvorak. Stirling took a 1 UP lead heading into the back nine, then on the 15th hole made one of the longest puts in Eagle Cup history. Stirling, on the back fringe in two, drained a putt over 50 feet down the slope on the treacherous 15th green to virtually secure the match, going 3 UP with three to play. Stirling would defeat Dvorak 4&2. With the Freshmen win in Match #1 they were only 1 ½ points away from winning three straight Eagle Cups.

Match #2 featured reigning NJCAA National Champion, Brandt Garon of the sophomore team against, hometown hero Easton Key of the freshmen team. Billed as one of the title bout matches of the day, these two heavyweights went 16 holes as Key held the lead for most of the round over the veteran Garon. Key would prevail on #16 and won a “key” point for the Freshman team with a 3&2 victory over Garon. The Eagle Cup then stood at 6-2, ensuring the Freshmen at least a playoff and just ½ a point away from the Cup. Meanwhile the Sophomores had to run the table on every match remaining on the course just to force a playoff.

Match #4 pitted freshman golfer Alex Grannon against Texas sophomore Adam Monsen. The match was all square heading into the back nine, but then Monsen turned it on and dominated on the final stretch to win the match with a 5&4 victory over Grannon earning the Sophomore team a much needed point and kept their hopes alive for a playoff.

After Monsen’s win, that left three matches on the course. The Sophomores needed to win all three outright to force a playoff while the Freshmen needed to just half one of the three to claim the Cup.

Match #4 featured “freshman” John Rea against sophomore Bo Reed. Reed fell behind early to the Northwood Club Champion, and Rea made it official with an emphatic 5&4 win to give the Freshmen the Eagle Cup for the third consecutive time as they now had the lead 7-3.

Match #5 featured “freshman” Clinton Hales against sophomore Oscar Mariscal. As was the case today, this match ended early with Hales defeating Mariscal, 5&4. Making it 8-3, Freshmen.

There was only one match left on the golf course, Match #6, Randy Warden representing the Sophomores and Josh Ellis representing the Freshmen. Warden enjoyed a comfortable 4 UP lead heading into #13, Ellis won the hole to make it 3 UP, Warden leading. Then in a sign of sportsmanship, instead of continuing the match, freshman Ellis conceded the final point of the day to Warden & the Sophomores. The Cup was already out of reach for them, and the concession gave the Sophomore team the final point of Eagle Cup X, which was just their second point of the day.

Eagle Cup X ended with the Freshmen 8 and the Sophomores 4 . Eagle Cup XI will be played this Fall (2011) in Meridian with the “Freshmen” riding a winning streak of their own… three straight.



EAGLE CUP X
Freshmen 8
Sophomores 4

Day One (Four-Ball Match play)
Match 1- Brandt Garon/Adam Monsen defeated Easton Key/Clinton Hales 1 UP
Match 2- Alex Grannon/John Rea defeated Clemens Dvorak/Oscar Mariscal 2&1
Match 3- Jake Stirling/Josh Ellis defeated Bo Reed/Randy Warden 3&2

Day Two (Alternate shot match play)
Match 1- Easton Key/Alex Grannon defeated Brandt Garon/Bo Reed 3&2
Match 2- Adam Monsen/Oscar Mariscal defeated John Rea/Clinton Hales 1 UP
Match 3- Jake Stirling/Josh Ellis defeated Clemens Dvorak/Kyle Temple 3&2

Day Three (Singles match play)
Match 1- Jake Stirling defeated Clemens Dvorak 4&2
Match 2- Easton Key defeated Brandt Garon 4&2
Match 3- Adam Monsen defeated Alex Grannon 5&4
Match 4- John Rea defeated Bo Reed 5&4
Match 5- Clinton Hales defeated Oscar Mariscal 5&4
Match 6- Randy Warden defeated Josh Ellis 3 UP

History:
Cup Date Winner
I Fall 2006: Sophomores
II Spring 2007: Sophomores
III Fall 2007: Sophomores
IV Spring 2008: Sophomores
V Fall 2008: Sophomores
VI Spring 2009: Sophomores
VII Fall 2009: Sophomores
VIII Spring 2010: Freshmen
IX Fall 2010: Freshmen
X Spring 2011: Freshmen
XI Fall 2011: ???

Lady Bobcats sweep Meridian

MERIDIAN – The Jones County Junior College Lady Bobcats defeated the Meridian Community College Lady Eagles 13-1 in five innings in the opener and 12-0 in six innings in the nightcap yesterday at Tommy McDonald Field.

JCJC is now 19-5 on the season and will return home to Community Bank Park on Thursday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader against Hinds.

MCC (5-19) is at Jeff Davis Community College (Ala.) on Friday.

Jones Co. 13
Lady Eagles 1
(5 innings)

Ginger Lonergan improved to 9-1 with the victory in the opener. Lonergan allowed one earned run on four hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts.

JCJC put it away quickly with a nine-run, first inning.

Mallory Cowart was hit by a pitch and Haley Brooke Smith reached on an error. Alex Faciane walked and Shannon Mosley followed with a two-run single. Stacia Whitaker then walked and Jessmar Walters delivered another two-run single. Heidi Garcich reached on an error and K.T. Perkins followed with a run-scoring single.

Cowart then batted for the second time in the inning and had a two-run double. Faciane then delivered a two-out, run-producing single.

The Lady Bobcats made it 11-0 in the second inning. Walters reached on a fielder’s choice, Garcich reached on an error and Perkins followed with a two-run double.

After MCC scored its run in the third, JCJC came back with its final two runs in the fourth when Jasmine Jefferson singled and Perkins drilled a two-run home run.

Jones Co. 12
Lady Eagles 0
(6 innings)

Lauren Candies upped her record to 10-4 with the shutout in game two. She gave up four hits, no walks and struck out seven.

The Lady Bobcats pounded out 22 hits in game two.

They scored a run in the first when Faciane drew a two-out walk, Mosley singled and Whitaker had an RBI single.

JCJC made it 3-0 in the second when Garcich singled and Jade McLeod reached on an error. Kayla McDaniel then drilled a two-run single.

The Lady Bobcats scored four times in the fourth to make it 7-0. McDaniel doubled and scored on a single by Cowart. Smith’s double scored Cowart, Faciane singled to score Smith and Perkins singled to score Faciane.

JCJC scored five runs in the sixth. Perkins and Garcich both singled and McLeod followed with a bunt single. Brittany Daniel followed with an RBI single. With one out, Cowart walked to load the bases. Smith then had an RBI single and Jessica Upton followed with an RBI single. Daniel would score on a wild pitch and Mosley’s ground out would drive in a run.

Meridian sweeps Northwest Shoals

By Daniel Rigdon / Sports Writer

MERIDIAN — Kenny Roberts extended his hit streak to 20 games, and Darren Farmer had a solid day at the plate as Meridian Community College rolled over Northwest Shoals in a doubleheader at Scaggs Field on Tuesday.

In Game 1, the Eagles used a seven-run third inning to set the tone and take an 11-9 win.

Dustin James, a West Lauderdale product, had two hits and Garrett Pitts had two hits and three RBIs. Farmer, another West Lauderdale product, had two RBIs and a hit, while former Meridian High standout Roberts connected on the go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning.

Brandon Hallford earned the win for MCC in relief, while Josh Lee got the save.

In Game 2, the Eagles wasted little time, striking for seven runs in the first inning before settling for the 10-1 win.

Farmer continued his solid day from the plate with three hits, while Ben Kinglsey had two hits including a home run and two RBIs. Pitts had a home run and 4 RBIs.

West Lauderdale product Wes Stokes got the win for Meridian.

MCC improves to 21-12 on the season, while Northwest falls to 19-7.

The Eagles travel to Alabama Southern on Saturday for a 2 p.m. game.

Freshmen extend lead on Day Two, Look for 3rd straight Cup

(MERIDIAN) - Once again Day Two of Eagle Cup X had perfect weather and clear skies as the format featured alternate shot match play at beautiful Briarwood Country Club.

Heading into the day, the "Freshmen" team was looking to add to their 2-1 lead while the "Sophomore" team was looking to mount a comeback.

The first match of the day featured freshmen Easton Key and Alex Grannon against sophomore Brandt Garon and Bo Reed.

Key/Grannon grabbed an impressive lead early for the freshmen team at 4UP thru seven holes but Garon/Reed won hole #8 and then because of a violation of Rule 4-4b, the Sophomores cut the lead to 2 UP heading into #9. Key/Grannon then took control late in the back nine and closed out the match on the par 3 16th, winning 3&2 which extended the Eagle Cup lead for the Freshmen out to 3-1.

The second match of the day saw “freshmen” John Rea and Clinton Hales team up against Adam Monsen and Oscar Mariscal of the sophomore team.

The match was All Square most of the day. On the backside Monsen/Mariscal took the lead after #14 and looked to add to their lead on #15, but Rea/Hales won #15 and got it back to All Square . After ties on #16 and #17, Match #2, would make it to the final hole for some Alternate Shot drama. Rea/Hales bogied #18 and Monsen from the sophomore team calmly drained a 3-footer for par and the win, earning the sophomore team a much needed point as they cut into the Freshmen team’s lead, 3-2.

The final match of the day would feature freshmen Jake Stirling and Josh Ellis against sophomore Clemens Dvorak and late-fill in Kyle Temple.

Stirling/Ellis would remain undefeated thru two days of action with a 3&2 win over Dvorak/Temple. The freshmen win gave the defending champs a 2 point lead, 4-2.
The final day of the three day Eagle Cup concludes Wednesday afternoon at Northwood Country Club. The final day will feature six different singles matches with a total of six points up for grabs. First team to 6 ½ points wins the Cup, meaning that the Freshmen need to win 2 ½ points to claim the cup for the third consecutive time. Meanwhile, the Sophomores need to win 4 ½ to claim the Cup for the first time since 2009.

Results:

Day One (Four-Ball Match play)
Match 1- Brandt Garon/Adam Monsen defeated Easton Key/Clinton Hales 1 UP
Match 2- Alex Grannon/John Rea defeated Clemens Dvorak/Oscar Mariscal 2&1
Match 3- Jake Stirling/Josh Ellis defeated Bo Reed/Randy Warden 3&2


Day Two (Alternate shot match play)
Match 1- Easton Key/Alex Grannon defeated Brandt Garon/Bo Reed 3&2
Match 2- Adam Monsen/Oscar Mariscal defeated John Rea/Clinton Hales 1 UP
Match 3- Jake Stirling/Josh Ellis defeated Clemens Dvorak/Kyle Temple 3&2

Point Totals
(after Rd 2)
Freshmen 4
Sophomores 2


Format:
Monday, March 21st- Four-Ball match-play Northwood CC
Tuesday, March 22nd- Alternate shot match-play Briarwood CC
Wednesday, March 23rd- Singles match-play Northwood CC

Captains:
Sophomore Team- Clemens Dvorak
Freshman Team- Jake Stirling

History:
Cup Date Winner
I Fall 2006: Sophomores
II Spring 2007: Sophomores
III Fall 2007: Sophomores
IV Spring 2008: Sophomores
V Fall 2008: Sophomores
VI Spring 2009: Sophomores
VII Fall 2009: Sophomores
VIII Spring 2010: Freshmen
IX Fall 2010: Freshmen
X Spring 2011: ???

Freshmen Take Early Lead in Eagle Cup X

(MERIDIAN) - Sunny skies greeted the players on opening day of “Eagle Cup X” Monday at historic Northwood Country Club.

On Monday afternoon the “Sophomore” team, captained by Clemens Dvorak, faced off against the “Freshman” team, captained by Jake Stirling, in four ball match play with each match being played for one point. A total of three points were up for grabs on Day One.

The first match of the day featured Brandt Garon and Adam Monsen of the sophomore team against Easton Key and former MCC golfer Clinton Hales, who represented the freshmen team.

In what turned out to be the closest match of the day, Garon/Monsen closed out on the match on the final hole earning the sophomore team the first point of Eagle Cup X with a 1 UP victory over Key/Hales.

Match two featured sophomores Clemens Dvorak and Oscar Mariscal versus freshman Alex Grannon and Northwood Men’s club champion, John Rea.

Dvorak/Mariscal had the lead most of the front nine and into the backside before Grannon/Rea made clutch birdies to even the match. A close match all the way around the back nine, Grannon/Rea finally closed it out on the 17th hole to win 2&1. The Eagle Cup was now 1-1 with a victory for the freshmen team.

The final match of the day featured Bo Reed and former Eagle golfer Randy Warden on the sophomore team as they faced freshmen Jake Stirling and Josh Ellis

Reed/Warden got up early in the match, 2 UP after three holes only to see Stirling/Ellis battle back and regain the lead heading into the back nine. Stirling/Ellis put the match away with a par on the 16th hole to win 3&2 and thus giving the Freshmen Team a 2-1 advantage after Day One.

Day Two of the three day event continues Tuesday with alternate shot match play being held at Briarwood CC. Play beings at 2 PM with the freshmen leading 2-1.





Results:

Day One (Four-Ball Match play)
Match 1- Brandt Garon/Adam Monsen defeated Easton Key/Clinton Hales 1 UP
Match 2- Alex Grannon/John Rea defeated Clemens Dvorak/Oscar Mariscal 2&1
Match 3- Jake Stirling/Josh Ellis defeated Bo Reed/Randy Warden 3&2

Point Totals
(after Rd 1)
Freshmen 2
Sophomores 1

Day Two (Alternate shot match play)
Match 1- Easton Key/Alex Grannon vs. Brandt Garon/Bo Reed
Match 2- John Rea/Clinton Hales vs. Adam Monsen/Oscar Mariscal
Match 3- Jake Stirling/Josh Ellis vs. Randy Warden/Clemens Dvorak


Format:
Monday, March 21st- Four-Ball match-play Northwood CC
Tuesday, March 22nd- Alternate shot match-play Briarwood CC
Wednesday, March 23rd- Singles match-play Northwood CC


Captains:
Sophomore Team- Clemens Dvorak
Freshman Team- Jake Stirling

History:
Cup Date Winner
I Fall 2006: Sophomores
II Spring 2007: Sophomores
III Fall 2007: Sophomores
IV Spring 2008: Sophomores
V Fall 2008: Sophomores
VI Spring 2009: Sophomores
VII Fall 2009: Sophomores
VIII Spring 2010: Freshmen
IX Fall 2010: Freshmen
X Spring 2011: ???

Eagles claim Runner-up at Spring Fling

(Scottsboro, AL) - Meridian Community College fired a 1-over par team score, 289 in the final round of the 10th Annual Ron Marshall Spring Fling to claim runner-up for the third consecutive year.

21 teams (105 players) representing nine states played in the 54 hole event.

Meridian finished just five shots back of first place Central Alabama. The Trojans shot 4-under par, 860. MCC was 1-over, 865 in second while Wallace State shot 4-over, 868 to place third. South Mountain finished in fourth with 878 (+14), Darton rounded out the top five with an 880 (+16).

Individually Jake Stirling led MCC. The freshman posted his seventh consecutive under par round with a final round 70 (-2). Stirling finished second out of 105 golfers and was named to the all tournament team. Stirling shot 4-under for the event with rounds of 71-71-70.

Sophomores Clemens Dvorak and Brandt Garon were also named to the all tournament team after top ten finishes. Dvorak finished tied for seventh after shooting even par for the event, 71-73-72. Garon also tied for seventh at even par with rounds of 69-74-73.

Freshman Easton Key placed in a tie for 23rd shooting 6-over for the event. The Meridian native had rounds of 73-75-74.

Sophomore Adam Monsen rounded out MCC's scoring with 13-over. Monsen shot 74-74-81 to finish in a tie for 43rd place.

"This is the biggest regular season event, sort of a national preview," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

"To place second in this event is very good. But we're just ready to breakthrough with a win here, three consecutive years runner-up."

MCC was one of two Magnolia State teams competing this week. Mississippi Gulf Coast also played, finishing in 13th place at 67-over par, 931.

MCC, ranked No. 2 by GolfStat.com, returns to action April 4-5 at Northwood Country Club when the Eagles host the 3rd Annual Lou Hart Invitational.

Eagles in second heading into final round of Spring Fling

(Scottsboro, AL) – The Meridian Community College golf team shot a 4-over par 292 in round two of the 10th Annual Ron Marshall Spring Fling College Classic to maintain their second place standing heading into the final round on Saturday.

MCC is even par after 36 holes, with a 576 (284-292) total. The Eagles are nine shots behind leader and No. 1 ranked Central Alabama. The Trojans from Alex City, AL are 9-under for the event, with a 567 (281-286). South Mountain out of Phoenix, AZ is in third place, four shots behind MCC. The Cougars have a 580 (289-291) score. Wallace State is in fourth with 582 (287-295), while Darton College rounds out the top five with a 583 (287-296).

21 teams from nine states are entered in the event.

Individually, freshman Jake Stirling leads the Eagles thru two rounds. Stirling has fired consecutive 1-under par rounds of 71 for a 2-under par 142 total. He is tied for the medalist lead.

Sophomore Brandt Garon is just one stroke behind with a 1-under par total of 143 (69-74).

Sophomore Clemens Dvorak is at even par, 144 (71-73).

Sophomore Adam Monsen is at 4-over par, 148 (74-74) as is freshman Easton Key (73-75).

MCC has claimed back-to-back runner-up finishes in the NJCAA’s largest regular season event the past two years. In 2009, MCC was one shot back of winner, Darton. Last year, the Eagles were runner-up by five shots to Central Alabama.

“We were hoping this would be our breakthrough season in this great event,” said fifth year head coach Sean Covich.

“We’ve done better and better every year we’ve been coming here, and a win would send a message that we’re one of the best in the nation. But we have got to go low to catch a great team (Central Alabama) tomorrow.”

Final round action gets underway tomorrow with an 8:00 am shot-gun start at the 7,101 yard long, par 72 Goose Pond Golf Course.

MCC in second after round one of Spring Fling

Three Eagles fire under-par rounds

(Scottsboro, AL) – The Meridian Community College golf team fired an opening round 284, 4-under par team score on Thursday in round one of the 10th annual Ron Marshall Spring Fling and sits in second place.

21 teams from nine different states are competing in the three day, 54-hole event which is being played in Scottsboro, AL at the Goose Pond Golf Course, measuring 7,101 yards long and plays to a par 72.

Leading the Eagles on day one was sophomore Brandt Garon. The defending national champion posted a 3-under par 69. Fellow sophomore Clemens Dvorak shot 1-under par, 71. Freshman Jake Stirling also posted 1-under par, 71. Meridian freshman, Easton Key posted a 1-over par 73 and sophomore Adam Monsen shot a 2-over par 74.

Meridian is in second place, just three shots behind leader- No. 1 ranked Central Alabama (281). Wallace State and Darton are tied for third after both teams shot 287. South Mountain (AZ) is in fifth with a 289.

The Eagles are paired with former national championship teams, Central Alabama and Darton for round two on Friday. Action gets underway at 10:15 a.m. Final round will be played Saturday starting at 8 a.m.

Eagles return to action at Spring Fling

The No.2 Meridian Community College golf team continues their spring season with a trip to Scottsboro, AL for the Ron Marshall Spring Fling College Classic played at Goose Pond Golf Club on Thursday through Saturday. The 54-hole event will feature 21 teams from across the country in the biggest regular season NJCAA event.

The Eagles have finished runner-up the past two seasons at the Spring Fling, finishing just one shot behind three time national champion Darton in 2009 and five shots behind Central Alabama last season.

Goose Pond Golf Club measures over 7,000 yards long and has hosted the NJCAA National Championship in the past. The last time the Eagles played their national championship in Scottsboro MCC claimed third place (2007).

MCC’s line-up will feature sophomore Adam Monsen playing No. 1. The San Antonio, TX native won his second career title last week at Black Bear Golf Club where he shot 2-under par.

Sophomore Brandt Garon will play in the No. 2 spot, the Baton Rouge , LA native is the defending NJCAA National Champion.

Freshman Jake Stirling will compete in the No. 3 spot for MCC. The Australian has earned five all-tournament team honors already this season.

Sophomore Clemens Dvorak will play in the No. 4 spot. The team captain from Austria played in last year’s Spring Fling, earning a top 20 finish (18th) out of 120 players.

Meridian native Easton Key returns to the Eagle line-up this week in the No. 5 spot. The freshman from Lamar has earned three all tournament team finishes this season.

Action gets underway Thursday at 8 am. Final round will conclude on Saturday.

Eagles named Miss-Lou All Conference

Meridian Community College had two players selected to the Miss-Lou All Conference Team following its 18-11 season under first year head coach, Jeff Walker.

Emmanuel Donald and Travis Fredimon were named to the First Team All Miss-Lou.

Donald, a sophomore from Lake, MS, averaged a team high 14.8 points per game with 5.8 rebounds per game.

Fredimon, a freshman from South Carolina, averaged 14.0 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game and also 6.5 assists per game.

Lady Eagles named All Region 23

Meridian Community College Lady Eagles had two players selected to the NJCAA All Region Team following its run to the region championship game.

Norianna Haynes, a freshman from Northeast Lauderdale, and freshman forward Chasity Kearney represented the Lady Eagles as First Team All Region selections.

Haynes averaged 19.4 points per game with 9 rebounds per game while Kearney averaged 17.8 points per game and 11 rebounds per game.

Haynes and Kearney were also named Miss-Lou All Conference along with teammates, Bianca Powell and Arnissa Galloway.

Powell, a sophomore, led the team with 7.5 assists per game and also averaged 8.5 points per game. Galloway averaged 10 rebounds per game and 10.4 points per game.

Lady Eagle soccer player inks with William Carey

Meridian Community College women’s soccer standout, Anastasia Vogel is signing with William Carey University.

Vogel compiled 35 goals and 8 assists in her two years at MCC, making her fourth on the all time scoring list.

She had 19 goals and 4 assist her freshman year, as she was named All Region 23 he freshman year.

Her sophomore season she scored 16 goals and had 4 assists.

She was named the NJCAA National Player of the Week her sophomore year for the month of October.

Vogel is a native of Pontotoc, MS, where she played for Pontotoc High School and was named a MHSAA All Star. She also played club for the Chicago Fire Juniors of Mississippi.

In 2009 she helped lead the Lady Eagles to a Region 23 crown, scoring 2 goals and having 1 assist in a 3-1 win over Pearl River for the championship.

In 2010, she helped lead the Lady Eagles to a NJCAA Region 23 Runner-up finish.

Meridian falls to Kaskaskia

By Robby Atkinson / Special to The Star

MERIDIAN- The Meridian Community College Eagles have had plenty of difficult points in the early stages of its 2011 season and the Eagles had to swallow another tough pill after Tuesday afternoon at Scaggs Field. The Eagles suffered a tough setback at the hands of Kaskaskia College by a final score of 7-6 in local junior college baseball.

The game went into extra innings as the Devils were able to plate the game winning run in the top of the tenth inning to secure the road victory over Meridian.

MCC dropped to 13-11 overall for the season and six of the losses for the Eagles this season have been by one run in each contest.

"We had opportunities to score early and we didn't capitalize," said MCC head coach Chris Curry. "When our approach is like that in a game that is a recipe to get beat."

The Eagles got off to a terrific start with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Kenny Roberts reached base on a two-out walk and later came around to score on a single to center field by Wade Wass to give Meridian the early lead. MCC extended its lead in the bottom of the second inning with a pair of runs to push its lead to 3-0. Garrett Pitts led the inning off by reaching on a walk and Dustin James followed by reaching on a base hit to put a pair of runners aboard for Meridian.

Darren Farmer followed with a walk to load the bases and Brian Donohoe recorded a very easy RBI with a bases loaded walk. Roberts collected an RBI moments later for MCC with a sacrifice fly that scored James.

Kaskaskia (4-2) jumped out in front of the Eagles with five runs in the top of the fourth inning to erase the Meridian lead at 5-3. Dan Carroll secured an RBI single in the inning for the Devils and Cody Coffey also had a two-run single in the five-run inning for Kaskaskia. One run scored on a fielder's choice in the inning by Steven Todoshuck and another run crossed the plate on a wild pitch by Meridian to account for all of the runs in the fourth inning.

Kaskaskia added another run in the top of the sixth inning to increase its cushion. Dalton Page provided the spark for the Devils with an RBI single in the sixth inning. The Eagles started to claw back in the game in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the Kaskaskia lead to 6-5. Donohoe drove one run in for the Eagles on a sacrifice fly and Roberts added an RBI single in the two-run sixth inning for the Eagles.

MCC would tie the game late with a big charge from Farmer. The West Lauderdale product belted a solo home run over the wall in left field to tie the game headlining into the ninth inning. Both teams came up empty in the ninth inning, but Kaskaskia was able to scratch for a run in the top of the tenth inning to take the narrow one-run victory over the Eagles.

Ben Campbell led the tenth inning off with a double and later scored on a wild pitch which gave the Devils the one-run victory.

MCC ended the game with six hits and was led by Roberts and Donohoe with two hits apiece. Carroll led the way for the Devils with a game-high three base hits in the win for Kaskaskia.

The Eagles return to action this Friday on the road at Bossier Parish Community for a doubleheader which begins at 1 p.m. in Shreveport, LA. MCC will return to action at Scaggs Field this Saturday for a single game with Kishwaukee Community College at 2 p.m.

Eagles sweep at Black Bear

Final round rained out, Eagle sophomore Adam Monsen wins second career title

(Delhi, La) - The Meridian Community College golf team won their fourth tournament title of the season after firing an opening round 2-under par team score of 286 on Monday at the 2011 Mississippi-Louisiana College Invitational played at Black Bear Golf Club in Delhi, LA.

Final round, scheduled for Tuesday, was cancelled shortly after play had started due to severe weather in the area.

MCC sophomore Adam Monsen won his second career medalist title with a 2-under par 70. Monsen holed out for eagle from 155 yards on the par-4 14th hole on Monday to propel him to his second win and placing him on the all tournament team.

Fellow sophomore Brandt Garon finished just one stroke behind Monsen, with a 1-under par 71. Garon was also named to the all tournament team.

Freshman Jake Stirling continued his streak of even-par or better rounds dating back to November with an even par 72, while sophomore Clemens Dvorak shot 1-over par 73. Both Dvorak and Stirling were named to the all tournament team.

Sophomore Oscar Mariscal cared a 6-over par 78 to round out MCC’s scoring.

MCC was the only community college in the event but that didn’t stop the Eagles from posting a 286 (-2) to distance themselves from the nearest competitor Texas Lutheran University who came in second place, fifteen shots behind MCC. TLU shot a 301, University of Texas-Tyler shot 307 to claim third place while University of Dallas was in fourth with a 313. McMurray University rounded out the top five with a 315. Host school Mississippi College shot a 316 and came in sixth place. 11 school participated in the event.

The No. 3 Eagles return to action March 17-19 at the Ron Marshall Spring Fling Classic in Scottsboro, AL at Goose Pond Golf Club.


2011 Mississippi/Louisiana College Invitational
Black Bear Golf Club (Delhi, LA)
Team Final Results
School Score (+/- Par)
1 Meridian Community College 286 (-2)
2 Texas Lutheran University 301 (+13)
3 University of Texas-Tyler 307 (+19)
4 University of Texas-Dallas 313 (+25)
5 McMurray University 315 (+27)
6 Mississippi College 316 (+28)
7 LeTourneau University 317 (+29)
8 Louisiana College 318 (+30)
9 Hendrix College 325 (+37)
10 University of New Orleans 327 (+39)
11 Ashford University 355 (+67)

Top 10 Individuals
Player (School) Score (+/- Par)
1 Adam Monsen (MCC) 70 (-2) Medalist, All Tournament
2 Brandt Garon (MCC) 71 (-1) All Tournament
t3 Ryan Kiel (Texas Lutheran) 72 (E) All Tournament
t3 Jake Stirling (MCC) 72 (E) All Tournament
t5 Clemens Dvorak (MCC) 73 (+1) All Tournament
t5 Austin Quienten (UT Tyler) 73 (+1) All Tournament
t7 Erik Peterson (Texas Lutheran) 74 (+2)
t7 Matt Ragovin (McMurray) 74 (+2)
t9 Alex Campos (UT Dallas) 75 (+3)
t9 Nick Holditch (UT Tyler) 75 (+3)
t9 Justin Weant (LeTourneau) 75 (+3)


MCC individual scoring
1st Adam Monsen 70 (-2)
2nd Brandt Garon 71 (-1)
t3rd Jake Stirling 72 (E)
t5th Clemens Dvorak 73 (+1)
t18th Oscar Mariscal 78 (+6)

McWilliams hurls Eagles past Devils

By Robby Atkinson / Special to The Star
The Meridian Star

MERIDIAN — The Meridian Community College Eagles have had a roller coaster type of season in 2011, but on Sunday the Eagles did just about everything right against Kaskaskia College. MCC used a solid pitching performance from former West Lauderdale standout Dustin McWilliams and timely hitting to shut down the Devils 4-0.

The Eagles improved to 12-10 with the win against Kaskaskia and MCC coach Chris Curry was very pleased with his team's performance after the game.

"That was a Meridian type of win," said Curry. "We did a lot of great things today in the field and got some big hits in some very key situations. We did all of the fundamental things right today and this is a great home victory for our team."

McWiliams was the star of the day for MCC on the mound, as the sophmore tossed eight innings for the Eagles and collected eight strikeouts. Freshman Brandon Hallford pitched the final inning for MCC and added a strikeout to preserve the shuout for the Eagles.

"He (McWilliams) set the tone for our team today," added Curry. "He threw strikes today and did a great job of filling the zone."

The Eagles got the scoring started in the bottom of the second inning with a run. Wade Wass led the inning off by reaching on a walk and later scored on an RBI single by Hunter Trawic. Both starting pitchers dominated the game until Meridian would crack the scoreboard once again with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to extend its lead.

Former Meridian High standout Kenny Roberts led the inning off with a single and later came around to score on a single by Ben Kingsley. The Eagles added two more runs in the eighth inning, one run scoring on a bunt single by Garrett Pitts and the other run scoring on a fielder's choice.

MCC ended the game with eight hits and was led by Roberts, Kinglsey, and Pitts with two hits apiece in the victory. Kaskaskia (2-1) finished the game with six total hits and was led by Dalton Page with a pair of hits. Meridian returns to action today against Tyler Junior College at Scaggs Field. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Baseball postponed

Meridian Community College baseball home game versus Kaskaskia, originally set for today, has been rescheduled for Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Wolves run away from Eagles

By Jamie Wachter / Sports Editor
The Meridian Star

CLINTON — Every time Meridian Community College made a run, Copiah-Lincoln had an answer.

And after the Eagles pulled within two early in the second half, the Wolves just ran away in the NJCAA Region 23 women's tournament championship, winning 89-54. Co-Lin (25-2) advances to the national tournament in Salina, Kan.

“We weren't scared of them,” MCC coach Hilary Allen said as his Eagles finish 27-6. “We didn't think they were that much better than us, if they are better than us at all. We definitely don't think they are 30 points better than us like that scoreboard showed.

“Give them credit, they made championship plays.”

The Wolves jumped out to an 11-2 lead and used that distance to stave off MCC runs throughout the first half. Co-Lin, which led 30-28 at halftime, then went on an 8-0 run to open the second half. However, MCC followed that with a 10-2 run of its own to keep it 40-38 with 14:50 left. Sophomore point guard Bianca Powell scored five of her 15 in that run as she had 11 second-half points.

“We will miss Bianca, she's been the glue of our team,” Allen said.

Co-Lin, though, then delivered the knockout blow. Scoring the next 12 points, the Wolves sparked a 35-7 run over the course of 11 minutes. Scoreless in the first half, Ann Shelby Davis poured in 17 after the break, including three 3-pointers. She was one of four Wolves in double figures as Kiara Etienne had 17 as well, and Brandi Simmons scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Sedreka Plummer scored 12 and grabbed eight rebounds as well as having five blocks. Etienne also added nine rebounds and six assists.

While Co-Lin pulled away late, MCC hung close for a half behind the strength of freshman forward Chasity Kearney. Finishing with 18 points and 15 rebounds, Kearney had 16 and 14 before the break. She scored MCC's final eight points before the half.

“That's a lot of rebounds to get your hands on in one half, but that's the kind of player she is,” Allen said. “She never gives up.”

While Kearney was starring, fellow freshman star Norianna Haynes struggled to find her shot. The former Northeast Lauderdale standout, scored just five points, making only two shots.

“She just couldn't buy a basket,” Allen added. “She forced a few shots late, but that was just her trying to be a leader out there and trying to make a play.

“She forced a couple, but had they fell in, it's still a close game and who knows what happens.”

Arnissa Galloway, also a freshman, scored nine and had eight rebounds for MCC.

Eagles set for Miss-Lou College Invitational

No. 3 MCC led by freshman Jake Stirling this week

Delhi, LA. - The 3rd-ranked Meridian Community College men's golf team continues their spring season with a trip to Delhi, LA, for the 2011 Mississippi-Louisiana College Invitational held Monday through Tuesday at the par-72 Black Bear Golf Club.

Freshman Jake Stirling will lead the Eagles in the No. 1 position. The Melbourne, Australia native was named to his fourth all tournament team this year after a runner-up finish in the Faulkner State Spring Invitational. Stirling, currently ranked as the nations No. 5 individual in NJCAA Div. I golf, shot 4-under par (71-69) at Rock Creek leading the Eagles to a fourth place showing in their spring opener.

Sophomore Adam Monsen will play in the No. 2 position for MCC. This marks back-to-back starts for Monsen as the San Antonio, TX native has posted two top ten showings with a fifth place finish in the Jim Redgate Invitational back in September with a final round 68 (-4).

Sophomore Brandt Garon will play in the No. 3 spot for MCC this week. The Baton Rouge, La. native continued his stellar career in the fall earning medalist honors at the Wallace State Fall Invitational and the NJCAA District IV Preview. The defending national champion has won four tournament titles during his two-year MCC career.

Sophomores Oscar Mariscal and Clemens Dvorak return to MCC line-up this week at Black Bear Golf Club. The duo has combined for seven rounds of even-par or better this year.

"We didn’t have a good showing at Rock Creek to start the spring season," said fifth year MCC head golf coach Sean Covich.

"But this is a totally different line-up for us this week, we have a lot of experience with four sophomores and only one freshman traveling. Should be interesting to see how we perform as a team and not individuals this week."

Ten schools are competing in the Mississippi-Louisiana Invitational his week, with MCC being the only junior college. The field competing includes Ashford University (Iowa), Hendrix College (Arkansas), LeTourneau University (Texas), Louisiana College, Meridian Community College, Mississippi College, Texas Lutheran University, University of New Orleans (Louisiana), University of Texas-Dallas and University of Texas-Tyler.

Action gets underway at 8 am on Monday. The 36-hole event concludes on Tuesday afternoon.

Tennis Sweeps Jones County

The Meridian Community College tennis teams traveled to Ellisville, MS to face in-state rival Jones County Junior College yesterday.

The men’s team won 7-2, while the women’s team dominated JCJC 9-0.

In men’s doubled action, MCC’s Matic Leskovar and Simon Bardell defeated JCJC’s Sam Thorold and Cade Sherman by a score of 8-2. MCC’s Andres Yepez and Zach Marroy defeated JCJC’s Nick Williams and Armand Deniakos by a score of 8-6, JCJC’s Casper Wansley and Mitchell Smith defeated MCC’s Trey Webb and Will Huntington by a score of 9-8.

In singles action MCC’s Matic Leskovar defeated JCJC’s Sam Thorold 6-4, 6-2. MCC’s Simon Bardell defeated JCJC’s Nick Williams 6-1, 6-2, MCC’s Andres Yepez defeted JCJC’s Cade Sherman 6-4, 6-3, MCC’s Zack Marroy lost to JCJC’s Armand Deniakos 7-6, 5-7, 10-7, MCC’s Will Huntington defeated JCJC’s Mitchell Smith 6-3, 6-4, while MCC’s Trey Webb defeated JCJC’s Casper Wansley 5-7, 6-4, 11-9, to wrap up men’s action.

In women’s doubles action, MCC’s Indi Mire and Savannah Zachry defeated JCJC’s Rachel Jeffcoat and Allison Rudolph 8-2. MCC’s Monica Rekkedal and Shelley Munn defeated Arlette Cochran and Brandy Freeman 8-2. MC’s Cecilly Monsour and Kaley Allen defeated JCJC’s Lauren Carpenter and Amber Long 8-4.

In women’s singles, MCC’s Monica Rekkedal defeated JCJC’s Rachel Jeffcoat 6-0, 6-1, MCC’s Savannah Zachry defeated JCJC’s Arlette Cochran 6-0, 6-2, MCC’s Indi Mire defeated JCJC’s Brandy Freeman 6-4, 6-0, MCC’s Kaley Allen defeated JCJC’s Allison Rudolph 6-3, 6-2, MCC’s Shelley Munn defeated JCJC’s Lauren Carpenter 6-3, 6-2, MCC’s Cecilly Monsour defeated JCJC’s Amber Long 6-3, 6-2.

Meridian will travel to Central Alabama this weekend for an 11:30 match with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College out of Georgia and a 3:30 match with Coastal Georgia. On Saturday the women will play Florida State College-Jacksonville and the men will play Gadsden State.

Lady Eagles to face Co-Lin (again) for Region 23 Championship

They meet again… just like in March of 2007 when Meridian and Co-Lin women met for the NJCAA Region 23 crown, the Lady Eagles will face former MACJC South Division rival Copiah-Lincoln Community College for a trip to the 2011 NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship.

In 2007, Co-Lin managed to defeat MCC in the region title game, 67-60. But MCC coach Hilary Allen and his 2011 squad enter the title game with a 27-5 record looking for some payback over the nationally ranked (No. 13) Lady Wolves who enter the contest 24-2.

To watch live visit http://www.colinathletics.com/ or (if our internet connection works tonight!!) you can listen live at www.meridaincc.edu/sports (Click “Live Sports Feed”)... Tip off is set for 6 p.m. at A.E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. Also follow along on MCC’s Twitter site for live in-game updates.

Haynes' big second half leads MCC past EMCC

By Daniel Rigdon / Sports Writer
The Meridian Star

CLINTON — Norianna Haynes may have played her worst 20 minutes of basketball of the season in the first half of Meridian's semifinal matchup Wednesday. Fortunately for MCC, Haynes played a perfect second half, while scoring 11 of her game-high 31 points in overtime and the Eagles knocked off East Mississippi 80-72 in overtime at Mississippi College's A.E. Wood Coliseum.

“Norianna is a super player,” said MCC coach Hilary Allen. “She didn't have a good first half at all, but we talked about it at halftime and she came out and played phenomenal in the second half and overtime.”

While Haynes was settling into her offensive groove, the same could not be said for the EMCC women in the extra period. The Lions mustered only one point through the first 3:30 of the five minute overtime session.

East Mississippi led by five points with 35 seconds left in regulation, but could not hold on as Meridian started doing what it does best. That being shooting the trey.

Haynes faked a drive and stepped back to drain 3-pointer to cut the lead to two points with 30 seconds left and Jasmine Anderson played the hero connecting from the top of the key with 6.6 seconds left to send the contest into overtime.

“We never give up,” added Allen. “We played hard and even though we were down with not a lot of time left we fought back.”

The Lions looked to be control early in the first half leading almost the whole 20 minutes as it saw its lead grow to as many as nine points.

A furious Eagle run to end the half cut the EMCC lead down to three points at 38-35.

MCC got 16 points from Chasity Kearney, while point guard Bianca Powell ended the night with 10.

East Mississippi got a team-high 13 points from Kiara Quinones-Noa, while Chadisty Hickman and Natalie Tate each added 12 points in the loss. RoTasha Windom, former Kemper County standout, had six points and 20 rebounds.

Meridian, which up its record to 27-5 on the year, will now move on to take on No. 13 Co-Lin in the Region 23 championship tonight at 6 p.m.

The Lions end their season with a record of 15-10.

MCC rallies past Mississippi Gulf Coast 84-79

Lady Eagles advance to face rival East Mississippi in semi-finals tonight, 8 pm

By Jamie Wachter / Sports Editor
The Meridian Star

(CLINTON, Miss.)- Hilary Allen was flummoxed.

The Meridian Community College women's basketball coach was the first to admit, there wasn't much his Eagles could do to slow Gulf Coast in the first half Tuesday in the first round of the NJCAA Region 23 tournament at Mississippi College's A.E. Wood Coliseum.

With the Bulldogs hitting 3-pointer after 3-pointer, MCC fell behind by 15. However, the Eagles rallied in the second half to win 84-79 and advance to an 8 p.m. semifinal today against East Mississippi Community College.

“They couldn't miss from 3,” Allen said. “I don't have a defense for that. My wife (MCC assistant Celia Allen) kept telling me we needed to stop this and stop that. I don't have a defense for 3s.

“It takes a better coach than me to stop 3-pointers.”

Gulf Coast hit nine 3s in the opening stanza, led by Roxyali Munoz's four. The Bulldogs led 27-12 after the third of those treys with 8:38 remaining in the half. MCC would close within 40-30 on a Kayla Hawkins 3, but Gulf Coast responded with one final triple before the half, this one from Delainna Lyons.

The Bulldogs kept humming in the second half, pushing the lead back out to 54-39 with 16:31 to go on another Lyons 3. Then, MCC (26-5) awoke and quickly soared back into the game.

The Eagles went on a 14-2 run during the next three minutes, pulling within 56-53 on a three-point play from Chasity Kearney, who led MCC with 22 points and 16 rebounds. Kearney scored 15 of those in the second half. Fellow forward Arnissa Galloway added eight points and nine rebounds as the Eagles controlled the boards

“We couldn't rebound in the first half because they never missed,” Allen added. “But we did rebound very well the second half, and it all came from doing so many little things.

“It was a complete team effort, from Kia Morris getting her hands on every single loose ball to Galloway playing great defense.”

MCC remained close until a Bianca Powell putback tied it at 71 with 5:29 to go and then a little more than a minute later Hawkins put the Eagles ahead for good off a Powell pass. The sophomore point guard handed out eight assists to go with 12 points. It was MCC's first lead since 4-3 at the 18:07 mark of the first half.

From there, it was the Norianna Haynes show. Pouring in a game-high 26 points, the Northeast Lauderdale product scored MCC's last 11 points, making seven of her final eight free throws. MCC had made just 14 of its first 27 attempts from the line.

“She can do so many things,” Allen said. “For her to rebound like she does from shooting guard and then she makes big passes and hits a big shot from the corner.”

Gulf Coast was led by Brianna Blunt's 17 and Lyons' 15. Munoz added 14 and Deonica McCormick finished with 13.

Baseball and Softball Split on Tuesday

Both the Meridian Community College baseball and softball teams had double header contests on Tuesday afternoon.

The baseball team traveled to Jones County Junior College in Eillisville, MS and split a pair of games, winning game one 8-4 and losing game two 5-4.

The Eagles (11-10) will return to action Friday at 6:00 p.m. when they host Kaskaskia at Scaggs Field.

The softball team hosted Marion Military Institute for a pair of games at Tommy McDonald Field.

The Lady Eagles split their series with Marion, winning game one 7-1 and losing game two 6-4.

The softball team (5-11) returns to action Friday when they travel to Tuscaloosa, AL to face Shelton State at 1:00 p.m.

Softball splits with Hinds

The Meridian Community College softball team traveled to Raymond, MS this past weekend and split a double-header against in-state foe, Hinds Community College. The Lady Eagles lost game one, 4-3 but bounced back nicely in game two for a 10-0 shutout over Hinds.

MCC has two dates on their schedule this week. The Lady Eagles host Marion Military for a doubleheader Tuesday at home, game time is 3:00 p.m.

Then on Friday MCC travels to Tuscaloosa, AL to play Shelton State in a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.

MCC baseball splits in four-game road trip

from staff reports
The Meridian Star

MERIDIAN — The Meridian Community College baseball team salvaged a two-day, four-game road trip to Niceville, Fla. Saturday afternoon by taking a 14-1 decision over Danville and keep its record above .500 on the season.

Nolan Thomas had a four-hit performance to lead the Eagles (10-9) including two home runs, while Meridian High product Kenny Roberts and Wade Wass each had a home run and double. Ben Kingsley went 3-for-4 from the plate.

Former West Lauderdale standout Wes Stokes earned the win on the mound for Meridian striking out two, while surrendering one earned-run.

The Eagles travel to Jones County Junior College Tuesday for a double-header that starts at 2 p.m.

Northwest Florida 20
Meridian 3

In Saturday's opener the Eagles suffered a 17-run loss at the hands of Northwest Florida.

Dustin McWilliams suffered the loss for MCC. Ben Kingsley had a solo home run for Meridian, while Johnny Tolson added an RBI-single.


Northwest Florida 5
Meridian 0

MCC was shut out in its first game Friday in Florida as the Northwest Florida pitching staff allowed only two hits to Eagle batters.

Kenny Roberts and Ben Kingsley each had base knocks in the contest, while Dalton Short suffered the loss on the mound allowing five earned-runs.


Meridian 7
Danville 5

Meridian rebounded in the nightcap Friday downing Danvile by two runs powered behind Kenny Roberts two-run home run.

Brian Donohoe added an RBI-single in the game and Daniel Allen earned the win on the mound giving up one earned.

The Eagles combined for seven hits.

NJCAA Region 23 Tournament

The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles are fresh off a conference title claimed Saturday afternoon and now prepare for the road to the national championship as they begin regional action.

The 25-5 Lady Eagles will play Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in quarter final action of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament in Clinton, MS on the campus of Mississippi College. The contest will feature an audio webcast available HERE (or simply visit www.meridaincc/edu/sports and click “Live Sports Feed” at 8:00 p.m.)

MCC Sports This Week

Baseball
Tuesday @ Jones County 2:00 pm Ellisville, MS
Friday vs Kaskaskia 6:00 pm MERIDIAN

Basketball (Women)
Tuesday vs MS Gulf Coast (Region 23 Tourn.) 8:00 pm Clinton, MS
Wednesday NJCAA Region 23 Semi-Finals TBA Clinton, MS
Thursday NJCAA Region 23 Championship TBA Clinton, MS

Softball
Tuesday vs Marion Military 3:00 pm MERIDIAN
Friday @ Shelton State 1:00 pm Tuscaloosa, AL

Tennis
Friday @ Central Alabama Tournament TBA Alex City, AL
Saturday @ Central Alabama Tournament TBA Alex City, AL