Fulton, Miss. – Will Verdung's three home run performance [video] led Itawamba Community College baseball to a 12-11 extra inning win over No .2 Pearl River Community College Saturday as they split the conference doubleheader.
Game 1: Indians 12, No. 2 Wildcats 11 (10-innings)
Verdung led off the bottom of the tenth with a walk-off home run to end a wild game one in favor of the Indians. The walk-off was his third home run in three consecutive at bats where he was responsible for the Indians final five runs in the game.
Prior to the late innings heroics, the Indians (18-7, 6-4 MACCC) trailed early as the Wildcats hit a grand slam in the top of the first and added a run in the third. Ty Roberson (Ecru) singled in a run in the second and Matthew Martinolich (Ellisville) hit a solo home run [video] in the third to cut into the lead.
A sacrifice fly by Jaxin Settlemires (Kossuth) cut the lead to 5-3, but the Wildcats answered with two runs in the fourth to go up 7-3.
The Indians would rally in the bottom of the frame scoring runs on a fielder's choice and a wild pitch, before Jackson Lee (Calhoun City) tied the game with a two-run scoring single.
Pearl River would break the tie in the sixth and take a 9-2 lead, but Verdung's solo home run made it a one run game.
Verdung gave the Indians their first lead of the game on a three-run home run down the left field line in the seventh, but the Wildcats answered with a two-run home run in the top of the eighth to tie the game at 11-11.
After a scoreless ninth and top of the tenth, Verdung capped off his six RBI game with the walk-off home run [video]. He also picked up the win on the mound as he threw one and one third inning and struck out one without allowing a hit.
Game 2: No. 2 Wildcats 8, Indians 0
The Wildcats jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in a game two and added three late runs on their way to the 8-0 win.
In the first, the Wildcats scored one run on one hit and added four runs in the top of the second to take a 5-0 lead.
The Indians best scoring chance came in the bottom of the sixth but were unable to capitalize with runners in scoring position.
Pearl River's Will Passeau kept the Indians off balance holding them to four hits in the contest with Lee having two of the four.
The Indians will hit the road Wednesday for a rivalry doubleheader against Northeast Mississippi Community College. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Booneville.
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