No. 14 Indians sweep Gulf Coast

Fulton, Miss. – No. 14 Itawamba Community College softball picked up a conference sweep of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College with a pair of walk-off victories winning game one, 5-4 and game two, 8-7.

Game 1: Indians 5, Bulldogs 4

The Indians (17-6, 4-2 MACCC) rallied to score two runs in the seventh to pick up the 5-4 walk-off win in game one over the Bulldogs.

In the first two innings, the Indians plated a run on a ground and another on an error to take a 2-0 lead.

The Bulldogs tied the game in the fourth and scored two runs in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead, one that would they would hold until the seventh.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, a run-scoring single [video] by Rayne Rippee (Sardis) tied the game at 4-4.

After the second out was recorded, Allie Beckely (Pontotoc) hit a ground ball up the middle that was stopped by the diving short stop and flip to second on a fielder's choice. However, the runner was called safe, allowing the runner from third to score and give the Indians the walk-off win [video].

Emily Robinson (Springville, Ala.) picked up her ninth win this season by throwing the complete game and allowing only two earned runs on seven hits.
 
Game 2: Indians 8, Bulldogs 7

In the night cap, the Indians' five run third inning wasn't enough to keep the dramatics away, but Emma Rose Thompson's (Hatley) big 4-for-4, two home run game [video] helped secure the victory.

The Bulldogs scored first in the second to take a 1-0 lead, by Rippee quickly tied the game in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run.

In the bottom of the third, Jessi Smith (Senatobia) hit a two-run scoring double to give the Indians their first lead of the game, and she later scored on a throwing error to extend the lead to 4-1.

Thompson capped off the five-run frame with a two-run home run to give the Indians a 6-1 lead.

The Bulldogs scored two runs on three hits in the top of the fifth, but Thompson hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to put the Indians up by four, 7-3.

In the top of the seventh, the Bulldogs rallied and scored four runs with two outs to tie the game at 7-7.

Thompson capped off her big game in the bottom of the seventh hitting a walk-off single [video] to pick up her fifth RBI of the game and give the Indians the 8-7 win and the sweep.

The Indians will be on the road next week as they travel to Coahoma Community College Tuesday and then to Pearl River Community College Saturday for a conference battle between nationally ranked opponents. Both doubleheaders are scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch.
 
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