Booneville, Miss. – A six run ninth inning by East Mississippi handed the Indians their second extra inning loss Thursday with the Lions picking up the 9-3 victory.
The Indians (0-2) and Lions traded blows early with both squads scoring two runs in the opening frame. While trailing 2-0, the Indians answered with four straight base hits including RBI singles by Tyler Murphy (Columbus) and Riley Davis (Collierville, Tenn.).
Tied at 2-2, East Mississippi would strike next as they regained the lead in the top of the fourth after taking advantage on an Indian error that resulted in the leadoff batter reaching base and later scoring on a base hit.
With time running out for the Tribe, they tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth when Davis, who finished 3-for-4, hit a single to Bailey Allbritton (Duck Hill), who reached on an error.
The game headed to extra innings after a scoreless seventh inning and neither team was able to find the winning run in the eighth frame either. However, in the top of the ninth, the Lions were able to score six runs off five hits and three wild pitches. The Lions took the lead on a big two-run home run and had a pair of triples in the inning has well.
The Indians were unable to answer the Lions big inning and fell 9-3.
Next up for the Indians is the conference opener Wed. Feb. 3 as they travel to Mississippi Delta. First pitch of game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for noon in Moorhead.
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