Fayette, Ala. - Itawamba Community College baseball picked up its first sweep of the 2023 season Saturday, defeating Bevill State Community College behind strong pitching and timely hitting.
The Indians (4-1) won game one, 8-5, behind a 10 strikeout performance by Brady Davis (Hamilton), and took game two, 7-0, with JW Armistead (Mooreville) and Eli Akins (Ripley) combining for a one-hitter.
Game 1: Indians 8, Bevill State
Davis started the game striking out four of the first six batters he faced and a solo home run by Jackson Lee (Calhoun City) gave the Indians an early 1-0 lead after two and half innings.
The third inning was rough for the Indians as the Bears scored two runs on two hits and two walks to take a 2-1 lead.
Davis rebounded from the two-run frame by the Bears by striking out five straight in the fourth and fifth.
The Indians regained the lead in the top of the fifth on a two-run scoring double by Dre McCray (Water Valley) and Jaxin Settlemires (Kossuth) extended the lead with a double of his own and later scored on an error during a steal attempt.
In the top of the sixth, the Indians would add a run as Eli Hancock (Houston) scored on a fielding error on a ground ball.
The Bears would plate three runs int he bottom of the inning, but Caleb Goddard (Tupelo) would enter to pitch and shut down the Bears rally.
A two-out, two-run scoring single by Drew Capobianco (Saltillo) would put the game on ice into e top of the seventh.
Game 2: Indians 7, Bevill State 0
Armistead picked up his first colligate win as he threw six innings while allowing only one hit and strikeout out eight. He held the Bears hitless for the first four and two thirds innings.
While Armistead kept the Bears out of the hit column, the Indians offense started scoring early as they scored two runs in the second on a Stone Collier (Fulton) double and an error.
The Indians would extend their lead to 4-0 in the third on a two-run double by Gray Bane (Lewisburg).
A three-run home run by Will Verdung (Corinth) in the fifth would wrap up there Indians scoring and a shut down bottom of the seventh by Akins closed out the win and the sweep.
The Indians will travel to Raymond Tuesday to take on Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the Host Hinds Community College Eagles. First pitch against Gulf Coast is scheduled for 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. against Hinds.
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