FULTON, Miss. – The Indians, who earned a No. 15 ranking in the NJCAA Division II polls prior to first pitch, had a tall task in No. 6 in the NJCAA Division I polls, Wallace State-Hanceville Community College Tuesday. Both games were a close battle early on, but the visiting Lady Lions picked up the sweep winning game one 17-5 and game two 7-2.
Game 1: Wallace State 17, Indians 5
The Indians (11-7, 2-0 MACJC) were down 1-0 after the top of the first, but a double by Rachel Sternisha (Olive Branch) in the bottom of the frame scored Mattie Meine (Olive Branch) to tie that game at one.
Jessica Davis (Cumberland) doubled scoring Maggie Smithey (New Albany) to take a 2-1 lead after two innings. However, the Lady Lions would rally with two outs in the third scoring six runs on seven hits including three doubles.
The Lady Lions led 7-2 after three innings and added a run in the fourth and nine runs in the seventh to stretch their lead to 17-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, Joanna Vasquez (Southaven) drew a walk with the bases loaded and Kacey Carpenter (Grenada) doubled to push across two runs, but the Lady Lions were able to close out the game and pick up the win.
Game 2: Wallace State 7, Indians 2
Wallace State jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, but a single by Samantha Conley (Mandeville, La.) cut the lead in half, 2-1, in the bottom of the innings.
In the following frame, the Lady Lions added a run on a pair of hits to extend their lead to 3-1, but Summer Cryder (Tupelo) cut the lead to one, 3-2, with a solo home run to left in the bottom of the third.
After having their lead cut to one, the Lady Lions plated a run in the fourth on a pair of hits and added another run in the fifth.
The Indians had a scoring opportunity in the sixth as Carpenter doubled and Smithey singled, but the Lady Lions forced a two ground outs to get out of the jam, and followed scoring two runs of their own in the seventh on their way to win and the sweep.
It's a quick turnaround for the Tribe as they travel to Calhoun Community College Wednesday for a doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m.
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