MCC Baseball Splits Set With Kaskaskia

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles closed out the 2013 Rush Invitational Tournament at Scaggs Field by earning a doubleheader split (4-7, 2-1) with Kaskaskia. The games with the Devils Sunday afternoon marked the only two games of the tournament celebrating 75 years at Meridian Community College. The doubleheader that was scheduled to be played with Hinds Community College Saturday afternoon was cancelled to poor conditions at Scaggs Field.

MCC (7-7) will return to action Tuesday afternoon on the road in a doubleheader against Jones County Junior College. The twin bill with the Bobcats is set to begin at 2 p.m.

Kaskaskia 7

MCC 4

The Devils opened the doubleheader by taking a three-run victory over MCC. Both teams finished the opening game of the doubleheader with 10 hits apiece. Paul Angel led the way for MCC with three hits, while Charles Morton added a pair of base hits for the Eagles. Johnathan Youngblood added an RBI double in the loss, while Kevin Hall and Garrett Larosa each added RBI base hit.

Brandon Smith (1-2) took the pitching loss on the mound for by tossing 5 2/3 innings and allowing five earned runs, to go along with a pair of strikeouts.

Jarrod Perry led the effort for Kaskaskia with a pair of hits and two RBI’s, while Kyle Emig added two hits off the bench for the Devils.

MCC 2

Kaskaskia 1

The Eagles were able to walk away with a victory in the bottom of the ninth inning of the second game to earn the split with Kaskaskia. Kevin Hall drove in the winning run on an infield single that eventually scored a run from second base.

Both teams finished the game with seven hits apiece and Hall led the Eagles with two hits in the victory. Youngblood added two hits, while Tanner Vandevere had an RBI single in the win.

Andrew Crook (1-0) secured the pitching win out of the bullpen by working two scoreless innings in relief of Mitchell Babb. The Ole Miss signee pitched seven strong innings and allowed no earned runs and notched nine strikeouts.

MCC Tennis Sweeps Faulkner State

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College tennis team returned to the court Wednesday afternoon and secured an impressive sweep of visiting Faulkner State Community College at the Northeast Tennis Center.

The Meridian Community College men defeated Faulkner State 6-3. At number one doubles, Kevin Millet/Joshua Marx, MCC; fell to Faulkner's Bynum/Bylery in a tiebreak 9-8. The number two doubles team of Ducky Troutman/Cody Gallenbeck, MCC; won easily 8-4, while the number three team of Reed Wade/Harrison Warren pulled out a victory 9-7. At number one singles, Marx fell to Bynum 7-6, 2-6, 7-10. Troutman defeated Byerly 6-4, 6-2, Millet defeated Bryant 6-0, 6-0, Gallenbeck defeated Thomas 6-0, 7-5, Mohammed Wahaidi lost to Faulkner's Jerony MCIndor 6-4,6-4, while Warren defeated Munn 6-2, 6-0.

The men are now 2-1 in match play for the 2013 season.

Meridian's women came away with a 7-2 victory on the day against Faulkner State. Ivanna Echezuria/Katy Adams won at number one doubles 8-5; at number two doubles Madison Gillette/Mallory Davis won 8-5 and the three doubles Tara-Beth Hall/Molly Moon won 8-5. In singles actions Echezuria defeated Elizabeth Schmidt 60-6-2; Mallory David defeated Mackenzie Tobin 6-0-7-5; Katy Adams fell to Faulkner's Deonne Powell 6-4, 7-5; at four singles Tara-Beth Hall defeated Tyneshia Neukurtc 6-3, 6-1, at five singles, Meridian High product defeated Savannah Ekelund 6-0, 6-3; and at six singles Molly Moon fell to Meredith Bwinn 6-0, 6-4. Stephanie Grayson lost a number seven match to Danielle Clark 6-0, 6-2.

The women are now 2-1 on the young season as well.

Weather permitting, MCC will travel to Jackson on Friday for a dual match with Belhaven.

MCC Tennis Adds Another Player For 2014

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College tennis team recently added a player to its freshman signing class for the 2014 season. Caroline Terry, a dual-sport athlete from Canton Academy, signed a national letter of intent to continue her education and tennis career with the Lady Eagles. At Canton Academy, Terry is a jack-of-all-trades playing basketball, tennis, track and cross country for her high school team. Terry has played tennis for Canton Academy since the seventh grade where she has amassed a winning record as a singles player. Terry has won the Most Valuable Player Award as a sophomore and a junior. Terry excels in basketball as well. Terry has been named the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player for two years and Most Valuable Player as a junior as well as getting Honorable Mention All-District Honors. Terry was also a member of the cross country team that won the 2012 State Championship. Her athletic abilities led her to the nomination from her school as Wendy's Heisman Representative.

Terry has not only excelled on the athletic arena but has also shown leadership not only for the team but for her school as well. Terry is a Student Body Association officer and the Canton Academy Chapel Director.

"She is a diamond in the rough,” said MCC tennis coach Wanda McPhail. “She has been involved in so much in support of her high school. It will be interesting to see just how good of a tennis player she will become when she focuses solely on tennis. Caroline is well-coached having worked with her high school coach and tennis professionals Scott Pennington, Brooks Buffington, Yvette Cook, and tennis coach Jackie Millet in Junior Team Tennis."

McPhail stated further, "Caroline is the kind of young lady we want on our team. She has a tremendous desire to do well, is academically motivated to excel, has great athletic ability, and is a person of moral integrity. Her family has supported in her high school successes, and I look forward to their continued support as she plays for Meridian."

Caroline joins the program at Meridian Community College that won the 2012 Region 23 Championship and made an appearance in the National Tournament.

MCC Baseball Splits Set With Alabama Southern

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles returned to Scaggs Field Tuesday afternoon to continue its 14-game home stand against Alabama Southern Community College. The Eagles split the doubleheader (4-1, 2-6) with Alabama Southern on the baseball diamond to move its overall record for the 2013 season to 6-6.

MCC will return to action this weekend to host the annual Rush Invitational Tournament at Scaggs Field. The tournament this year will also celebrate 75 years of Meridian Community College. MCC will play Hinds Community College and Kaskaskia Community College this weekend in the two-day event. The Eagles will play Hinds Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader at 2 p.m. and tangle with Kaskaskia Sunday in a twin bill at 2 p.m.

MCC 4

Alabama Southern 1

Former Quitman standout Jace Belcher secured his first pitching of the season to lead MCC to the three-run victory in the opening game of the doubleheader. Belcher pitched six innings and allowed one run, while collecting five strikeouts.

Alabama Southern took a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI double by Austin Hiklin, but the Eagles answered in a big way in the bottom of the sixth inning. Paul Angel connected on a solo home run to begin the bottom portion of the sixth inning, which was his second home run of the season to tie the game at 1-1. Charles Morton followed with a double to left field and later came around to score on an RBI single by Garrett Larosa to give MCC a 2-1 lead.

Mac Seibert followed with a two-run home run to give MCC a 4-1 lead heading into the seventh inning.

Belcher returned to mound and faced one batter in the top of the seventh inning, and handed the ball to the MCC bullpen. Blake Barrow was able to close the game out for his first save of the season and the victory.

Kevin Hall and Paul Angel had a pair of base hits in the victory, while Tanner Vandevere added a base hit.


Alabama Southern 6

MCC 2

The visiting Eagles were able to bounce back and take a four-run win over MCC to salvage a road split. MCC only managed four hits in the contest, while Alabama Southern finished the game with eight hits.

Larosa had an RBI double in the loss, while Johnathan Youngblood added an RBI groundout in the final inning of the game.

Former Lamar standout Whitt Haggard (0-1) suffered the pitching loss out of the bullpen for the Eagles.

MCC Baseball Splits Sunday Doubleheader

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles returned to the field Sunday trying to rebound with a pair of victories during its current 14-game home stand.

The Eagles opened the day with a solid 7-0 victory over Coahoma Community College and dropped the nightcap to Pearl River Community College by a final score of 9-5.

MCC moved its overall record for the 2013 season to 5-5 and will return to Scaggs Field Tuesday afternoon in a doubleheader against Alabama Southern Community College. The first pitch of the twin bill against the visiting Eagles is at 2 p.m.

MCC 7

Coahoma 0

Sophomore Brandon Smith pitched his first complete game of the season to lead MCC to the game one victory over the Tigers. Smith scattered seven hits over his seven innings of work, and collected eight strikeouts in the pitching victory.

MCC ended the game with eight total hits and were led at the plate by freshman Paul Angel with a pair of hits which included his first collegiate home run. Johnathan Youngblood scored a pair of runs in the victory, while Charles Morton added an RBI base hit.

Pearl River 9

MCC 5

The Eagles couldn’t complete the sweep as Pearl River took a four-run victory in the final game of the day. The Wildcats also collected a victory over Coahoma earlier in the day by a final score of 14-1.

Angel and Morton led the way at the plate for the MCC with two hits apiece, while Youngblood added a two-run single.

The MCC pitching staff struggled in the second game of the day by allowing 10 total walks and four runners to be hit by pitch. Kellon Hibbard (1-2) took the loss out of the bullpen for the Eagles.

MCC Golf Finishes Sixth At Faulkner State Invitational

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College golf team finished its first tournament of the 2013 spring season by placing sixth at the Faulkner State Invitational at Rock Creek Golf Course in Fairhope, AL.

The Eagles posted one of their best tournament scores of the year (314-311, 625), but couldn’t climb the leaderboard on second day of the tournament after finishing a cold opening day in fourth place.

Brevard community College won the 36 hole event by scoring a two round total of 603, followed by Wallace State CC at 606. Central Alabama CC, Darton CC and host Faulkner State finished third, fourth, and fifth respectively.

Spring Hill College finished seventh with Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile College rounding out the field.

TJ Morgan led the Eagles by shooting 77, 75. Dallas Shepard shot a consistent 78, 78 while Chase Taylor finished with 78, 79. Rounding out the Eagle scores were Nathan Kirkland at 81, 79 and Austin Sparks with 83, 81.

The Eagles return to action March 14-16 at Goosepond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, AL.

MCC Tennis & MCC Soccer Add Meridian High Star

From School Reports

Meridian High School’s MeMe Huff, a dual athlete standout, signed a National Letter of Intent on Thursday to play both soccer and tennis at Meridian Community College. MeMe is the daughter of Brad and Claire Huff.

MCC tennis coach, Wanda McPhail stated that this was a great day for MCC tennis.

“MeMe is just such a great athlete with a tremendous work ethic and personality as well. She will make an immediate impact of the MCC program. I have watched MeMe for several years and hoped that she would commit to stay at home and play for me. MeMe has been playing tennis for Meridian High since she was a seventh grader. She was the single’s runner-up at MHSAA District playoffs and a semifinalist at the MHSAA state tournament as a junior. She has participated in local tournaments and was the 2012 State Games gold medalist in her age division.”

Huff is a standout not only on the athletic field but in the classroom as well; she currently holds a 4.57 GPA.

“MeMe just brings everything to the table as she also is just a great team player and has the moral integrity that we hope our players have when we get them,” added McPhail.

Huff will also be a member of the MCC women’s soccer team next season and will look to add a spark to a squad that finished runner-up for the 2012 Region 23 Championship.

MCC Soccer Adds More Local Talent

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College soccer program continued to build a successful recruiting class for the upcoming 2013 season by adding more players from the West Lauderdale soccer program.

The MCC men’s squad inked Jesse Byrd, while the Lady Eagles added twin sisters Kaylyn and Megan Stewart.

“It was another phenomenal day for the Eagles,” said MCC soccer coach Alex George.

MCC has now added a total of seven players from the West Lauderdale boys team to its signing class and the MCC women have now inked a pair of Lady Knights to its squad for next season.

All three players played a major role in Class 4A State Championship appearances for both programs at West Lauderdale High School.

MCC Baseball Falls To Bossier Parish

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College baseball team had patiently waited through a pair of schedule changes this week due to heavy rain in the area and returned to Scaggs Field Thursday afternoon. MCC didn’t enjoy its return to the diamond as Bossier Parish swept the Eagles (4-8, 8-10) in doubleheader action. The Eagles now fall to 4-4 overall and will continue its 14-game home stand with a pair of games Sunday. The Eagles are scheduled to square off with Coahoma at noon Sunday and will tangle with Pearl River Sunday night at 6 p.m.

Bossier Parish 8

MCC 4

The Cavaliers scored six early runs and were able to hold off a late MCC rally to take the four-run victory in the opening game of the doubleheader. Both teams finished the contest with 10 hits apiece and Garrett LaRosa led the way for MCC by reaching base three times, and adding a solo home run.

Kevin Hall, Dallas Hannah, Paul Angel, and Ben Gann each had two hits apiece in the loss. Former Quitman standout Jace Belcher (0-1) took the pitching loss for MCC by working into the third inning and allowing five earned runs, to go along with one strikeout.

Bossier Parish 10

MCC 8

Bossier Parish completed the sweep of Meridian in an offensive showcase in the second game of the doubleheader. The Eagles finished the game with 12 hits and the Cavaliers had nine hits.

Johnathan Youngblood led the way in the second game for MCC with three hits, while Charles Morton knocked in a pair of runs on two base hits. Tanner Vandevere added a two-run double in the loss and Paul Angel chipped in with a couple of base hits.

Kellon Hibbard (1-1) took the loss out of the bullpen for MCC in relief of former Lamar School star Whit Haggard.

MCC Basketball Splits Homecoming Set With BRCC

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles picked up a very important Miss-Lou Conference win Wednesday night over Baton Rouge to celebrate homecoming at MCC. The Lady Eagles cruised to a 68-43 victory over BRCC in front of a large crowd at the Graham Gymnasium.

MCC improves to 16-8 overall for the season and 5-2 in Miss-Lou Conference play to keep its hopes alive of clinching a spot in the Region 23 Tournament. Sophomore guard Gelese Lampton stole the show Wednesday with another superb shooting performance to pace the offense. Lampton finished the game with 27 points and former Newton High standout Ashtin McNichols added 16 points off the bench for MCC.

MCC will return to action Saturday afternoon at home to square off against Delgado Community College in another key Miss-Lou Conference game. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

Baton Rouge 71

MCC (men) 57

The Eagles couldn’t complete the sweep of BRCC and fell by 14 points. Baton Rouge carried a 35-33 lead into the halftime break and ran away with the victory. Former Meridian High star Nick Waters led the Eagles in the scoring department with 15 points, while freshman center Michael Hutchins added eight points in the loss.

MCC (1-24, 0-6) will return to the floor Saturday afternoon at the Graham Gymnasium against Delgado Community College beginning at 4 p.m.

MCC Baseball Battles Weather Delay

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles have once again encountered a delay in the start of its three-game series with Bossier Parish at Scaggs Field.

The series between the two clubs was scheduled to begin Wednesday, but heavy rain throughout the day Tuesday at Scaggs Field has caused the second schedule change in as many days. The series has now been shortened to a doubleheader between the two clubs and is now scheduled to begin Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m.

MCC Softball Home Opener Postponed

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College softball team will continue to play the waiting game to play its first home games of the 2013 season.

MCC was scheduled to play Jones County Junior College in a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at Tommy McDonald Field, but heavy rain has caused the games to be postponed.

The doubleheader with the Lady Bobcats was originally scheduled for Monday, but forecasted rain caused the games to be postponed.

MCC (0-2) will return to action Thursday afternoon at Tommy McDonald Field for a 1 p.m. doubleheader with East Central Community College.

The Lady Eagles are also preparing to host the annual Rush Invitational Tournament this weekend at Tommy McDonald Field.

MCC Tennis Star Honored

From School Reports

Mallory Davis from Abbeyville, MS traveled to Jackson, MS, on Saturday, January 26, 2013, to receive the Mississippi Tennis Association’s “George Wilkinson” State Award. The Mississippi Tennis Association honors the state’s best at a banquet each year. This year’s banquet was held at Jackson Country Club.


Davis received this award after having been nominated earlier in the year. The George Wilkinson Memorial Award is given to a male and female outstanding junior player who exemplifies the qualities of composure under physical stress and emotional discipline in recognition of their desire, integrity, perseverance, maturity (on and off the court), conduct and appearance.

Davis had an outstanding record as a high school tennis player for Lafayette County under Coach Debbie Swindoll. As a senior at Lafayette, she compiled a 22-6 record and as a junior, she went 19-2.

“While playing for her high school, she played every position while leading the team to the North half finals,” according to Swindoll. “Mallory is an extremely hard worker and is very dependable. “The family support she has received over the years has helped her reach this potential.”

Davis is a two-time Class 4A mixed doubles’ champion and was selected to the MAC All-Star Tournament.

Davis has had an outstanding start to her JUCO career. She is playing number two singles and number two doubles for Meridian. The spring season has just started, but Mallory has performed well already.

“She is just a great player and person,” according to McPhail. “Not only has Mallory achieved success on the tennis courts in her freshman year, but also she has achieved academically. She is a champion in every sense of the word.”

MCC Golf Set To Open 2013 Season

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College golf team will open their 2013 spring season this weekend at Rock Creek Golf Course in Fairhope, AL. MCC won this tournament last year and is hoping for a good start this spring. Leading the Eagles will be sophomore TJ Morgan from Bruce, MS. The 2011-12 Honorable Mention All-American was named to three all-tournament teams in the fall (out of five tournaments) and missed being district preview medalist by one stroke. Morgan will bring a lot of tournament experience to a very young team this season.

“TJ has a solid all-around game and knows how to score, even when he is not hitting the ball well” said Coach Key.

Gafford White from Meridian, is the only other sophomore for the Eagles. White has been a superb leader for the team and works hard to improve his game each day for the Eagles.

Freshman Eagle golfers are Austin Sparks (Golden, MS) Chase Taylor (Columbus, MS), Nathan Kirkland (Meridian) and Dallas Shepard (Madison, MS). Each have had a measure of success this past fall but are poised to reach their potential this spring.

“Our freshmen are showing signs of the maturity that comes with being tournament tested” said Key. “Sometimes with young teams it takes a while to get up to speed with others at this level. I feel we have a strong freshman class and we will see great things from them soon”.

The Eagles also play this spring at Goose Pond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, AL during spring break. MCC will once again host the Lou Hart Invitational at Northwood CC and the Eagles will take part in the Arkansas State University Red Wolf Classic during the spring season. The District Tournament this season will be contested at Boscobel Golf Course in Pendleton, SC and the National Tournament will be held at the Texas Tech Golf Course in Lubbock, Texas.

“We have a great schedule this spring” added Key. “We always enjoy hosting the Lou Hart tournament at a great venue like Northwood and are playing in several big tournaments. I guess the highlight for me will be the Arkansas State tournament. All of the schools in the tournament will be Division One four-year schools except us. This is a great opportunity for our players to show what they are capable of on the same course that D1 university players are playing. Also, personally, It will be interesting because we will get to play against my son, (former MCC and Lamar standout) Easton who plays for Arkansas State”.

MCC Athletics Give Back To Community

As Meridian Community College celebrates its 75th anniversary, MCC has been an institution that is known for giving back to the community that supports MCC as well.


February is National Heart Awareness Month as well as that holiday, Valentine’s Day, that makes most think about “love.” Meridian is fortunate enough to have a soup kitchen that serves many of the homeless in our area as well as those who have fallen on hard times.

The kitchen operates to a huge extent on donations and the local soup kitchen happens to be called Love’s Kitchen. In conjunction with the awareness of love for this month, MCC athletes thought this would be a good time to show our love for those who are less fortunate by collecting canned goods to take to Love’s Kitchen. MCC has ten athletic programs: men and women’s basketball, men and women’s soccer, golf, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s softball, baseball, and cheerleading.

The athletic teams joined efforts to collect gallon-sized canned goods to take to the soup kitchen. These goods were collected the last two weeks of January and the first two weeks in February. Athletes and coaches from several sports gathered on February 11 to take the goods and to volunteer for a couple of hours serving in the food line and helping put away the canned goods and other duties that were assigned to the teams.

MCC Tennis Falls To Marion Military Institute

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College men’s tennis team returned to action last Friday (February 8) against Marion Military Institute.

In doubles action, MCC’s Joshua Marx/Kevin Millet lost to Peter Solomon/Romar Hernandez 8-0. At number two doubles, Meridian’s Ducky Troutman/Cody Gallenbeck lost in a long set to Shepherd Newcombe/Gabe Llewellyn 8-3. Meridian’s Harrison Warren/Reed Wade took the win at three doubles with an 8-4 win over Robert Tabanguil/Felix Eligio. In single’s action Meridian took two matches at number five and six singles when Harrison Warren defeated Robert Tabanguil 6-2, 6-1 and Mohammed Wahaidi at six defeated Felix Eligio 6-2, 6-0. Cody Gallenbeck had a tough match at three but played well. He lost in close sets to Gabe Llewellyn 6-4, 7-5. At one singles, Joshua Marx lost to Shepherd Newcombe 6-2, 6-0; Troutman lost to Peter Solomon 6-0, 6-2. At number three singles Kevin Millet lost to Romar Hernandez 6-2, 6-0.

Meridian’s men are now 1-2 on the season. Both teams will return to action next week when they travel to William Carey Feb. 19. MCC hosts Faulkner State at Northeast Tennis Center on Feb. 20. They then travel to Belhaven on Feb. 22.

Former MCC Coach To Be Inducted Into Hall of Fame

From School Reports & NJCAA

Former Meridian Community College men’s basketball coach Dennis Helms will take his rightful place among the nation’s elite. Helms has been named to the 2013 class of the NJCAA Basketball Hall of Fame.

Since its inception in 1984, a total of 133 coaches, players and special contributors have been inducted into the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Helms will be honored this March at the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship in Hutchinson, KS.

A legend in NJCAA basketball circles, Dennis Helms was an accomplished head coach that helped shape the careers of many famous players. Most known for his 16 seasons at the helm of the men’s basketball program at Odessa College (Texas), Helms also had successful stops at Meridian Community College (Miss.), Butler Community College (Kan.), Crowder College (Mo.) and Iowa Western Community College.

His first stint at Odessa was from 1986-96. During this time he led the Wranglers to four Western Junior College Athletic Conference (1988, ’89, ’93, ’94) titles, four Region 5 Championships (1988, ’89, ’90, ’93) and four appearances in the Division I national tournament (1988, ’89, ’90, ’93).

In 1997 he took over the men’s basketball program at Meridian Community College (Miss.) where he guided the Eagles to a two-year record of 49-19, including a fifth place finish in the 1999 Division I national tournament.

From 1999-2005 he led the Grizzlies of Butler Community College (Kan.). While at Butler, his 2000-01 team set a school record with 13 conference wins, on their way to winning the Kansas Jayhawk West Division for the first time since 1995.

Helms returned to Odessa in 2006 and led the Wranglers to 20 or more victories six times and a conference championship in 2008. He amassed a coaching record at Odessa of 426 wins and 124 losses.

Helms helped develop many future NBA players during his career, including three first round and three second round draft picks: Larry Johnson, (UNLV, 1990 #1 NBA Draft Pick), Alvin Robertson (Arkansas, 1984 #7 NBA Draft Pick), Tony Allen (Oklahoma State, 2004 #25 NBA Draft Pick), Rodney Dent (Kentucky, 1994 #32 NBA Draft Pick), Martin Norris (Auburn, #33 1996 NBA Draft Pick) and Ronald Murray (Shaw, 2002 #42 NBA Draft Pick).

In 32 years as an NJCAA head coach, Helms posted a career record of 724 wins and 279 losses. He is one of just 19 coaches in NJCAA history with over 700 victories.

MCC Baseball Series Versus Bossier Parish Postponed

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles are the middle of a 15-game home stand and its three-game series against Bossier Parish has been postponed. The series between the Eagles and Cavaliers was scheduled to begin Tuesday night at 6 p.m. with a single game, but the game has been postponed due to more forecasted rain in the Meridian area for Tuesday.

MCC is now scheduled to return to action Wednesday afternoon in a doubleheader against Bossier Parish beginning at noon.

MCC Tennis Sweeps Past ECCC

From School Reports

Meridian Community College tennis teams traveled to East Central Community College on last Thursday for a dual match. Meridian’s men won 9-0. The women won 7-2; Meridian had to forfeit two courts as the number one player Ivanna Echezuria sprained an ankle in a match last Saturday against Jackson State University there.

In men’s doubles action Kevin Millet and Joshua Marx defeated Blake Cochran and Josh Peoples 8-3. At number two doubles Ducky Troutman and Cody Gallenbeck defeated Andrew Hanna and Chris Mays 8-1. Harrison Warren and Reed Wade won the three doubles against Brandon St. Clair and Hunter Mayo 8-3. In singles action Marx won over Cochran 0, 1; Troutman defeated Hanna 0, 3; Millet defeated St. Clair 3, 3; Gallenbeck won over Mays 4, 3; Warren eased past Mayo 2, 2; and Mohammed Waihidi won at no. 6 singles against Lucas Calvert 1, 1.

The men are now 1-1 having lost to Jackson State University on Saturday, Feb. 2 by a score of 9-0.

The women won all seven matches that they were able to play. The number two team of Mallory Davis and Madison Gillette won at no. one doubles against Kelsey Tadlock and Alana Turner 9-8(4). At two doubles Katy Adams and Tara-Beth Hall defeated Haley Chapman and Amber Pierce 8-2. The number three team forfeited due to injury. In singles action, Mallory Davis breezed to an easy victory over Kelsey Tadlock 0, 0; Katy Adams took the win at number 2 defeating Haley Chapman 1, 0; Tara-Beth Hall took a hard-fought match at three 4, 3; Madison Gillette won over Amber Pierce 2, 0; and Molly Davis defeated Nan Hartness at number 5 singles 1, 0. Meridian gave up the number six singles due to injury.

When a team has only six players, the line-up must move up, and the forfeit must come at the bottom.

The women are now 1-1 having lost to Division I Jackson State University on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Both teams will travel to William Carey on February 19 for a dual match.

MCC Baseball Splits Doubleheader With Faulkner State

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles returned to the baseball diamond Saturday afternoon at Scaggs Field and came away with a doubleheader split (3-7, 3-2) against Faulkner State Community College. MCC moved its 2013 record to 4-2 after the split, while the Sun Chiefs are now 2-1 for the season.

MCC is scheduled to return to Scaggs Field Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in a single game against Bossier Parrish.

Faulkner State 7

MCC 3

The Eagles opened an early 3-0 lead, but the Sun Chiefs were able to battle back to secure the four-run victory. MCC opened the first game with a run in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Charles Morton that scored Paul Angel to give the Eagles the 1-0 lead. MCC continued to build its lead in the second inning with a pair of runs to make the score 3-0. One run in the frame scored on an error by Faulkner State, while the second run scored on a sacrifice fly by Angel to give MCC a three-run lead.

Faulkner State answered the early runs by the Eagles with a pair of runs in the fourth inning to cut the MCC lead to 3-2. Brandon Bolivar delivered a two-run double for the Sun Chiefs, but the MCC lead would be erased in the top of the fifth inning. Troy Brown tied the game with one out in the top of the fifth inning on a double and Taylor Nichols gave the Sun Chiefs the lead moments later. Nichols gave Faulkner State a 5-3 on a two-run single to left field and the visitors would later add a pair of runs in the sixth inning to take the victory.

Mac Seibert and Dallas Hannah led the Eagles in game one with a pair of hits, while Johnathan Youngblood added a single. Brandon Smith (0-1) took the pitching loss on the mound for the Eagles after working into the fifth inning.


MCC 3

Faulkner State 2

MCC fought back in game two to salvage the split behind a brilliant pitching performance from sophomore Mitchell Babb. The Ole Miss signee worked six strong innings and collected six strikeouts to improve his pitching record to 2-0.

Faulkner State scored its only run off of Babb in the top of the third inning on a solo home run by Jansen Boeschen to make the score 1-0. MCC answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning on a two-run single by Kevin Hall to give MCC a 2-1 lead. Both team remained silent for much of the game until MCC added a very important insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the score 3-1 in favor of the green and white.

Ben Gann delivered a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Morton to give MCC a two-run lead going into the final inning. Faulkner State scored one run in the top of the seventh inning, but relief pitcher Kellon Hibbard was able to hold on for his first save of the season for MCC.

Morton led the way at the plate in the second game for the Eagles with a pair of hit, while Youngblood added a single.