With the two wins, Pearl River has now won six straight games against the Bobcats.
“I know this is the first time in six years that we’ve come here and had a sweep,” head coach Michael Avalon said. “It’s not an easy place to do it. It’s a quality program and they’re a good team. Our presentation was outstanding. We had some big hits but left a few runners in both games. We need to improve there. We know it and we will continue to work on it. It was a great day and I’m very proud of them. These are two great victories for our program and our school and we are grateful to them.
FIRST GAME
Lee got the start in Game 1 and put in one of the best performances of his career, shutting down the Jones College bats (14-6 overall; 1-3 MACCC) in seven innings.
The first set of the day saw Pearl River (14-4; 3-1) and Jones College go quietly.
The Wildcats put a number in the run column in the second inning. With an out, Logan Walters (Petal) entered the batter’s box and hit the fourth pitch of his at-bat over the left field wall to give PRCC a 1-0 advantage.
“I was looking for a good pitch to hit,” Walters said. “I took two balls and made a good count. I had a good pitch to hit and I had a good swing on it. Luckily he died and got us off to a good start. We just build from there. It was a great team victory today. We played Wildcat baseball and I’m really proud of our guys today.
The Bobcats looked to even things up in the bottom half of the inning, getting a first single, but Lee made sure the single didn’t come back to hurt them as he quickly retired a batter and forced two groundouts. .
PRCC was able to extend their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth set. Blake Hooks (Petal) got into position to score with a double hit to right field. Taylor Woodcock (Pass Christian; West Harrison) then singled out to move him to third base. A groundout from the start Gabe Broadus (Wilmer, Ala.; Faith Academy) brought Hooks home and an error from Jones College shortstop tagged Woodcock right after.
Neither team could do anything until the seventh inning, when Pearl River added some insurance runs. Alex Perry (McComb; North Pike) opened the inning with a double to left field. A five-pitch game ended in an RBI single for Matt Mercier (Richton; Petal). Walters followed it up with a single and quickly stole second base to put two runners in scoring position for DK Donaldson (Gulfport; West Harrison). Donaldson lined up 1-0 at shortstop and left center field to tag both runners and make it 6-0. The Wildcats aren’t done there because Preston Soper (Madison; Germantown) brought Donaldson home with a single to put Pearl River ahead 7-0.
Tate Parker (Gulfport; West Harrison) hit his seventh homer of the year in the eighth inning, but it wouldn’t have been completed without the help of the Jones College left fielder. As the ball sailed towards the wall, he jumped up to catch the ball but instead knocked it against the wall for a solo homer, making it 8-0.
Bobby Magee (Petal) entered the game late in the eighth inning. Jones College started the inning with a single, but Magee hit a batter and induced two ground balls to preserve the 8-0 victory.
Lee threw an incredible seven shutout innings, striking out four on just four. He didn’t walk a hitter.
“I felt like I had every pitch I had to work on all day,” Lee said. “I was able to throw them anywhere I wanted all day.”
Magee pitched an inning and allowed a hit while striking out a batter.
Broadus, Parker, Walters and Donaldson each had two hits.
SECOND GAME
Moore put on an equally dominant performance in the nightcap, pitching a full game for the Wildcats on just 83 shots. He struck out five batters and allowed only three hits, one walk and one run.
“I felt good on the mound,” Moore said. “My speed was good and my arm was loose. My fastball was electric. I didn’t feel great with my slider, but my change and curve was good.
The score was again kicked by Walters as the outfielder doubled a home run in the top of the fourth to put Pearl River ahead 1-0.
PRCC tacked on another run in the fifth inning that turned out to be very important. Ian Montz (Lafayette, Louisiana; Acadiana) started the inning with a single and Woodcock walked a short time later. A wild pitch from Bobcat then moved the pair to another base to set up a sacrificial fly from Parker to make it 2-0.
Jones College managed to break the shutout offer in the bottom of the seven with a solo homer, but Moore fought back to slam the door and claim a 2-1 victory for Pearl River.
Parker, Mercer, Soper, Walters and Montz each had a hit in the contest.
FOLLOWING
The Wildcats hit the road Friday for games against LSU Eunice and Baton Rouge. The first throw is set for 3 p.m. The matches will be broadcast live on TSRNSports.com.
The games can also be heard on WRJW 1320-AM, 106.9 FM and WRJWRadio.com.
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