MCC Baseball Sweeps Away Northeast Mississippi

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles returned to the field Wednesday afternoon looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss on Tuesday by playing host to Northeast Mississippi Community College. The Eagles bounced back in grand fashion by sweeping past Northeast Mississippi by final scores of 8-3 and 8-1 on Wednesday at Scaggs Field.

MCC improved to 18-9 overall and 6-4 in league play, while Northeast Mississippi dropped to 7-13 and 3-7. The Eagles will return to action on Saturday for an MACJC doubleheader with Southwest Mississippi Community College. First pitch of the twin bill against the Bears is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Scaggs Field.

MCC got one of the more impressive pitching performances of the season in Game One to defeat Northeast Mississippi by a final score of 8-3. Sophomore Bryant Johnston pitched 7 2/3 innings of relief and collected eight strikeouts in the appearance from the bullpen.

MCC also did a solid job at the plate by notching 10 hits as a team, while Northeast Mississippi finished with eight hits. Matt Berler led the charge with a pair of base hits and two RBI’s, while Dustin Smith drove in three runs in the Game One win. Michael Druhan and Jaylon Keys each added two base hits apiece, while three other players in the Meridian lineup each added one hit apiece. Goose Yates, Andrew Crook, and Dalton Thomas checked in with one hit apiece in Game One.

MCC secured the sweep in Game Two by rolling past Northeast Mississippi by a final count of 8-1. Former Neshoba Central star Austin Harrison notched the win on the mound for the Eagles by pitching a complete game and collecting six strikeouts.

MCC had another great game at the plate as a team by banging out 14 hits, while Northeast Mississippi finished with seven. Goose Yates led the way in Game Two by going 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI’s, while former West Lauderdale star Daniel Hill also had three hits in the victory. Michael Druhan, Andrew Crook, and Dustin Smith each finished the game with two hits apiece.

The MCC pitching staff was the highlight in the doubleheader sweep by collecting 14 strikeouts as a staff and allowing no walks.