No. 12 Indians sweep No. 2 Jones in conference opener

Fulton, Miss. – In a battle between two of the nation's best teams, the No. 12 Indians swept No. 2 Jones winning game one 7-5 and taking game two 5-3. Friday's sweep is the first time Jones has been swept in conference play since 2018, which was also at the hands of the Indians.

Game 1: Indians 7, Bobcats 5

The Indians (10-2, 2-0 MACCC) fell behind in the top of the second when Jones took a 3-0 lead off a pair of home runs, but that lead wouldn't last as with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the frame, McKenzie Patterson (Corinth) hit a three-run home run to tie the game.

Jones answered with a run in the top of the third to take a 4-3 advantage, but once again in the bottom half of the inning, the Indians would rally to tie and take the lead. A run-scoring double by Connor Stevens (Amory) tied the game at four, and Madison Jenkins (Cleveland) followed with a single up the middle to score Stevens and put the Indians up 5-4.

The Indians extended their lead to 7-4 in the fourth as Patterson scored on an error off a Katie Rutledge (Manchester, Tenn.) bunt, and Rutledge later scored on a sacrifice fly by Kara Hays (Mooreville).

Leading by three, the Indians called on Emily Robinson (Springville, Ala.) to come in to attempt a nine out save, and despite Jones plating a run in the fifth, Robinson was able to preserve the lead and the win. Madison Burrus (Hernando) picked up the win and Robinson her third save of the season.

Game 2: Indians 5, Bobcats 3

The Indians were the first to strike in game two and did so in a big way with back-to-back home run in the second inning. Jenkins hit the first home run of the inning which was a two-run shot to center, and Brianna Posey (Florence, Ala.) followed with a no-doubter to left field to put the Indians up 3-0.

Before the dust settled in the second, the Indians added another run with a single up the middle by Rutledge.

Jones was able to pick up a run in the fourth to cut the lead to 4-1. After a scoreless fifth, the Indians called on Robinson again out of the pen to close out the game. However, Jones would make things interesting in the sixth as they cut the lead to 4-3 with a two-run home run.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Indians would pick up an insurance run as Abigail Anderson (Pontotoc) laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Josie Meggs (Koscuisko) who tripled.

Robinson and the Indians were able to close out the game in the top of the seventh and complete the sweep and improve to 2-0 in conference play.

The Indians won't get to celebrate the big series sweep long as they hit the road for another conference doubleheader Saturday at Hinds. First pitch in Raymond in scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

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