MCC Advances to MACJC State Tournament

From School Reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles had to work overtime on Saturday afternoon to advance to the next round in the postseason against East Central Community College. The Eagles dropped a tough 14-1 decision in Game Two of its three-game set with the Warriors, but rebounded in decisive third game of the series to defeat ECCC by a final count of 11-1. The series victory now advances MCC to the 2015 MACJC State Tournament which will be played next week on the campus of Hinds Community College in Raymond, MS. The tournament will consist of four teams which include: MCC, Hinds, Northwest Mississippi, and East Mississippi.

MCC moved its overall record to 33-15 for the season, while East Central closed out the 2015 campaign with a 25-17 overall record. The 2015 MACJC State Tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday and more information will be available on the schedule for the tournament at a later time.

MCC won the series in Game Three behind a complete game performance on the mound from Neshoba Central star Austin Harrison by a final score of 11-1. The Eagles finished the run-rule victory in the bottom of the seventh inning with three runs to clinch the series over ECCC. Harrison (5-2) tossed seven innings, scattered five hits, allowed one run, and collected two strikeouts in the effort.

MCC finished Game Three with 10 hits overall and Kyle Bayles led the team at the plate with three hits, and four RBI’s. Matt Berler added a pair of RBI base hits, while Dalton Thomas smashed his second homer of the weekend which was a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth inning. Michael Druhan also drove in two runs on a couple of hits and Goose Yates added a double in the game for the Eagles.

MCC was forced to play the third game of the series after falling in the opening game on Saturday by a final score of 14-1 which was called due to a run rule. MCC only managed four hits in the losing effort and was led at the plate by Goose Yates with an RBI single. Matt Berler, Scott Votaw, and Andrew Crook were responsible for the remaining three hits in Game Two.

Jake Smith (3-2) suffered the loss on the mound in Game Two for the Eagles after working three innings and allowing four earned runs.