Indians rally to sweep Pearl River in MACJC opener

FULTON, Miss. – The Indians trailed in both games of their conference opening doubleheader with Pearl River, but rallied from a 3- deficit in game one to win 7-4 and get an 8-7 walk off victory in game two to earn the sweep.

Game 1: Indians 7, Pearl River 4 [Click here for highlights]

The Indians (11-5, 2-0 MACJC) trailed 3-0 early but tied the game in the fourth scoring three runs as Mattie Meine (Olive Branch) hit a single to score Maggie Smithey (New Albany) who doubled earlier in the inning.

With the bases loaded, Rachel Sternisha (Olive Branch) was hit by a pitch and Samantha Conley (Mandeville, La.) drew a walk to score the game tying run.

A RBI single by Ellie Meine (Olive Branch) in the fifth gave the Indians the lead for the first time and Jessica Davis (Cumberland) doubled to extend the lead to 5-3 after five innings.

The Indians added a pair of runs in the sixth as Sternisha scored on a ground out and Kacey Carpenter (Grenada) singled to score Lilli Moore (Fulton).

Olivia Burns (Grenada) picked up the win as she threw a complete game and struck out nine.

Game 2: Indians 8, Pearl River 7 [Click here for highlights]

The Indians fell behind in the opening frame 1-0, but quickly tied the contest on a solo home run by Summer Cryder (Tupelo). However, Pearl River would score three runs over the next two innings to take a 4-1 lead.

Conley cut the Lady Wildcats lead 4-2 with a solo home run of her own in the fourth, but in the fifth, the Indians took the lead as Mattie Meine crushed a three run home run to right.

Leading 5-4, the Indians had Pearl River down to their final out and a strike, but they Lady Wildcats took the lead off a three run home run.

Now down to their final three out, the Indians put two runners on with no out as Mattie Meine singled and Sternisha reached on a fielder's choice where no out was recorded. Conley followed with a double to score one run and Macey Cox (Troy, Tenn.) hit a bloop single to tie the game at 7-7.

After two quick outs, Ellie Meine hit a ground ball behind the pitcher and was able to beat out the throw to first for the infield hit that allowed Cryder to score and give the Indians the walk off 8-7 and the sweep.

Burns picked up her second win of the day and improves to 6-2.

The Indians will host NJCAA Division 1 power Wallace State-Hanceville (Ala.) Community College Tuesday for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. The teams split a pair of 5-2 decisions earlier this season in Hanceville.

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