Delgado Slips Past MCC

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles were looking to secure its second victory on the opening day of the Region 23 Division I Tournament, but the home standing Delgado Dolphins had other ideas.

Brooks Vial pitched a complete game shutout to help Delgado earn a 3-0 victory over Meridian (26-25) at Kirsch-Rooney Stadium Saturday night. The loss puts MCC in a very tough position with having to defeat Delgado (38-10) twice in the next two days to the win the Region 23 Championship. The two teams will meet Sunday night at 7 p.m. with the Eagles needing a victory to force an if necessary game Monday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Delgado won its opening game of the tournament by eliminating Baton Rouge by a final score of 3-0 earlier in the day.

Delgado got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning with a pair of runs to grab a 2-0 lead.

Josh Watkins got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI double that chased home Frankie Watts who reached base on a walk to lead off the frame. Cody Ducote drove in the next run for the home team on a fielder's choice to give the Dolphins a 2-0 edge.

Delgado added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to 3-0. Watts delivered a two-out single to right field that drove in Troy Lewis to give the Dolphins a three-run lead after four innings complete.

MCC couldn't muster much offense for the remainder of the game as Delgado took the 3-0 win. The Eagles only managed four hits in the loss and the Dolphins also helped its cause defensively by turning three double plays.

Scott Votaw led the way at the plate with a pair of singles in the loss. Ben Gann and Michael Druhan each had one single apiece to account for the remainder of the hits for MCC.

Vial led the way for the Dolphins in the pitching win by allowing no earned runs, four hits, no walks, and collected three strikeouts.

Jake Smith (3-4) took the pitching loss on the mound for MCC by working 6 1/3 innings, allowing three hits, three walks, and six strikeouts.