MCC Baseball Falls To Central Alabama To Open Season

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles dropped its 2012 season opener on Friday afternoon to Central Alabama by a final score of 16-3 in the opening day of the First Pitch Classic in Panama City, FL.

MCC scored the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning to grab a 2-0 lead over the Trojans. Johnny Tolson reached first base on a fielder's choice and sophomore catcher Wade Wass drove both runs in for MCC on a two-run home run to give Meridian the lead.

Central Alabama answered with five runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 5-2 lead over the Eagles. Zach Rinehart had an RBI single in the inning for Central Alabama and Garrett Pitts knocked in a pair of runs for the Trojans on a single in the five-run inning.

CACC built its lead in the top of the fifth inning with three more runs to make the score 8-2. The Trojans took advantage of three MCC errors in the inning to take the six-run lead. Central Alabama put the game away for good with eight more runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a 16-2 lead over the Eagles. Meridian committed three more errors in the inning which allowed four runs to score.

MCC (0-1) scored its final run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on a throwing error by the Trojans to make the final score 16-3.

Jackson Lowery took the pitching loss on the mound for MCC by working 3 1/2 innings and collecting two strikeouts. Tanner Hicks picked up the win on the mound for Central Alabama by working six innings and allowing two earned runs, and ending the game with five strikeouts.

MCC only managed four hits in the game and Central Alabama finished the game with 14 hits. Meridian will return to action on Saturday in the second day of the First Pitch Classic against Wallace-Hanceville. The game is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start at Bill Frazier Field.