Baseball gets late push to take game two from Pearl River, 7-3

Baseball gets late push to take game two from Pearl River, 7-3
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com 

POPLARVILLE, MS – After being the victim of a comeback in game one, the Itawamba Community College baseball squad got revenge on Pearl River Community College with a comeback of their own in game two.

The Indians (15-13, 3-9 MACJC) trailed 3-1 after four innings in the nightcap of the MACJC twin bill with the Wildcats, but scored six late unanswered runs to pick up the 7-3 win and the series split.

After falling behind early, the Indians rallied and in the sixth on a Russ Payne (Fulton) hit a line drive to center that scored Drake Rowton (Marion, AR) and Cody Pate (Amory) to give the Indians their first lead of the contest, 4-3.

Hagan Box (French Camp) later reached on a field's choice that allowed Payne to score and extend the lead to 5-3.

Payne's big hit gave freshman pitcher John Morgan Payne (Belmont) his first lead of the game and he retired the Wildcats (20-12, 5-9) in order in the sixth.

Pate would provide some insurance runs in the top of the seventh with a two-run home run to center.

The Wildcats drew a walk and had a runner reach on an error with two outs in their final at bat but John Morgan Payne forced a ground ball to third to end the threat and give the Indians the 7-3 win.

John Morgan Payne improves to 4-3 this season and leads the team with a 3.11 ERA and 33 strikeouts. The right hander went the distance in the seven inning affair and allowed only four hits while striking out eight.

The Indians return to the friendly confides of Roy Cresap Field Tuesday after being road warriors last week. Tuesday's MACJC doubleheader against Coahoma in Fulton is scheduled for 3:00 pm and 6: 00 pm.

For more information on ICC Baseball, follow ICC Athletics on Twitter (@LetsGoICC).