Fulton, Miss. – ICC picked up a crucial sweep of Holmes Tuesday to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Indians got strong pitching outings in both games as they defeated the Bulldogs 8-3 in game one and 6-0 in game two.
Game 1: Indians 8, Bulldogs 3
The Indians (19-19, 13-13 MACCC) fell behind on a two-run home run in the first inning, but three consecutive RBI singles by Terris Meeks (Olive Branch), Matthew Martinolich (Ellisville) and Riley Davis (Collierville, Tenn.) in the second inning gave the Indians a 3-2 lead.
Blaine Ware (Batesville) singled to add two runs in the third but an ICC error in the fourth cut the lead to 5-3.
In the fifth, Meeks singled to drive in two runs and Will Verdung (Corinth) drove in the game's final run on a RBI single two batters later.
The Indians gave Brady Davis (Hamilton) run support and he threw eight and one thirds innings to pick up his fifth win of the season.
Game 2: Indians 6, Bulldogs 0
In game two, the Indians got another strong pitching performance as Roe Ketchum (West Point) threw a complete game shutout while striking out seven in the 6-0 win.
Verdung gave the Indians hit a two-run home run in the second to give the Indians an early lead and a RBI single by Martinolich in the fourth extended the lead to 3-0.
A two-run double by Ware in the fifth gave the Indians a 5-0 lead and Eli Hancock (Houston) singled in the final run of the game in the sixth.
Heading into the final doubleheader of the season, the Indians are currently in a four way tie with East Central, Northwest and Gulf Coast for seventh place in the conference with the top nine spots earning a playoff berth. The Indians wrap up the regular season on the road Friday against No. 8 Meridian. First pitch of the crucial conference doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Follow ICC Athletics: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram