Fulton, Miss. – The Indians fell to No. 5 East Central in game one, 9-1, but bounced back and picked up a gutsy 3-2 win in game two to earn the split.
Game 1: Warriors 9, Indians 1 (7-innings)
It was a rough start to the day for the Indians (11-11, 5-5 MACCC), as they fell behind 4-0 after the first two innings
The Indians scored their lone run in the third on a Terris Meeks (Olive Branch) double, but the Warriors would answer with a run in both the fourth and fifth to take a 6-1 lead.
In the seventh, the Warriors added three runs to their lead and picked up the 9-1 run-rule victory.
Game 2: Indians 3, Warriors 2
The Indians quickly shook off their game one performance and battled with the Warriors from the first pitch.
While the Warriors struck first with a run in the top of the third, the Indians had an answer for the run in the bottom of the frame.
Bryce Capobianco (Saltillo) tied the game on a single that score Will Verdung (Corinth), led off the inning with a single.
The Indians took and extended their lead on two wild pitches that score Riley Davis (Collierville, Tenn.) and Capobianco.
The combined pitching performances from Collin Babin (Ponchatoula, LA) and Verdung held the powerful Warrior offense to only one run over the next four innings. Verdung closed out the game forcing the Warriors to leave two runners in scoring position in the final inning.
Babin picked up his first win of the season and Verdung got his first save as the Indians earned the 3-2 win and the split.
The Indians will hit the road Tuesday for another crucial conference doubleheader when they face East Mississippi, who is currently tied for the lead in conference, in Scooba. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will a video only broadcast will be available on emccathletics.com/live.
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