Indians drop tight battle to Eagles

Indians drop tight battle to Eagles
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com

MERIDIAN, MS – An early start time wasn't enough to beat Mother Nature as the Itawamba Community College Indians and Meridian Community College had their twin bill cut in half Saturday.

The Indians (7-8, 1-6 MACJC) rallied from behind with four runs in the fifth inning, but the early six run deficit was too much to overcome to give the Eagles the 6-4 victory.

In the first four innings, the Eagles racked up six runs on eight hits, but quickly saw their big lead cut down to two as the Indians plated four run in the top half of the fifth. Sophomore Russ Johnson (Hatley) drove in the first run with an opposite field single that plated Drake Rowton (Marion, AR) and a Tanner Poole (Amory) single put two runners on with only one out.

Sophomore left fielder Brayden Owen (Tupelo), who went 2-for-4, smashed a home run to left field picking up three RBIs and pulling the tribe within two runs with a lot of baseball left to play.

John Peugh (Mooreville) blanked the Eagles over the next four innings to keep the deficit at two, giving the Indians a chance to take control. 

The Indians had numerous opportunities to tie the game or take the lead as they put seven runners on the bases off four hits, two errors and walk. However, they were unable to get the big hit and stranded all the runners on the base paths, including four that were in scoring position, giving the Eagles the win.

Brady Chambley (Winona) suffered his first loss of the season while Meridian's Jake Smith improves to 3-0.

Game 2 of the doubleheader was postponed due to heavy rain. Make up date will be announced at a later time.

The Indians will host Northwest Mississippi Community College Wednesday for their first home doubleheader since March 8. First pitch for game one of the MACJC division contest is set for 3 p.m.