FULTON, Miss. – The Indians hit three home runs in a bounce-back, 7-5, win over previously unbeaten Northwest Florida State College on Saturday.
Jessi Smith (Senatobia) put the Indians (7-2) on top 2-0 in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run to centerfield.
The Raiders (12-1) answered with three runs in the second inning scoring on a two-run single and a sacrifice fly.
After the two teams traded scoreless innings in the third, Sarah Kate Thompson (Myrtle) ripped a three-run home run to put the Indians back on top 5-3. Hallie Turner (Southaven) and Bailey Ware (Batesville) both reached on a two-out singles before Thompson's homer.
Northwest Florida pushed across a pair of runs in the fifth to tie the game, 5-5, on a double and a fielder's choice.
Smith was hit by a pitch to start the home half of the fifth and scored when Haylee Alberson (Hernando) smashed a two-run bomb that barely missed the scoreboard in left field to put the Indians up 7-5.
The Raiders brought the tying run to the plate with one out in the top of the seventh, but Emily Robinson (Springville, Ala.) picked up her fifth strikeout of the game and a grounder to second to help close the door on the rally.
Thompson and Ware each had a pair of hits in the win. Thompson had a double and three-run home run. Ware had a pair of singles.
Robinson replaced Alberson in the second inning to pick up the win after giving up two earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out five in 5.2 innings of work.
Game 2: Cancelled
Both coaches agreed to cancel the second game with rain moving into the Fulton area.
The Indians are schedule to travel to Calhoun (Ala.) Community College on Tuesday, Feb. 14 for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
Follow ICC Athletics: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram