No. 6 Indians' rally comes up short in Region 23 opener

WESSON, Miss. - The Indians' late-game heroics came up short in a 3-2 lost to host Co-Lin in the opening round of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. 

No. 5 Co-Lin 3, No. 6 Indians 2

The Indians fell behind 3-0 before Kaitie Boatner scored on a ground out to first to make it a 3-1 contest in the top of the fifth inning. The Wolves threatened in the home half of the inning, but center fielder McKenzie Patterson threw out the runner at home before making an outstanding diving catch to end the inning.

Madison Jenkins pulled the Indians within one, 3-2, when she ripped a single to right field that scored Hannah Henry. The Indians had runners at second and third but couldn't get anything going to push across the tying run in the sixth.

Co-Lin put a pair of runners on in the bottom of the sixth, but Haylee Alberson charged in on a bunt attempt to make a shoestring catch and a quick throw to first to end the inning on with a double play.

The Indians couldn't get anything going in the seventh and dropped the opening round game by the final score of 3-2 to the host Wolves.

Raynee Rippee had three of the Indians' six hits on the night. Alberson and Jenkins each added an RBI single in the loss. Jenkins (16-2) was the pitcher of record after giving up two runs, both earned, on five hits and one walk while striking out one in three innings of work.

Up next for the Indians will be an elimination game against No. 8 LSU-Eunice at 12 p.m. on Thursday. The Bengals dropped a 2-0 decision to Northwest on Wednesday.

You can watch the game at https://colinathletics.com/general/live_stream 

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