| 14th-ranked Jones County blanks visiting EMCC 13-0 in MACJC baseball playoff series opener |
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ELLISVILLE – The 14th-ranked Jones County Bobcats made quick work of visiting East Mississippi Community College, cruising to a 13-0 run-ruled home decision over the Lions in Friday’s opening game of a best-of-three MACJC baseball playoff series being held at JCJC’s Community Bank Park.
Making their first postseason baseball appearance since 2004, the Lions had a chance to strike first in the opening frame, but Tyler Aldridge’s leadoff single was negated when he was caught stealing on Alex Chick’s strikeout. Following the double play, sophomore first baseman Mitch Bohon smacked a double to center field, but he was left stranded after a subsequent strikeout to end the inning. The Lions again put a runner in scoring position during the second inning. Freshman shortstop Ismael Reyes singled and stole second base but was also left stranded. After scoring one run in the first, the Bobcats chased EMCC starting pitcher Cole Vaughan with three more scores on three hits in the second inning. With the Lions using four different pitchers in the abbreviated contest, JCJC’s offensive assault continued with five runs on five hits in the third and four more tallies on four additional hits in the fourth frame. The Bobcats, now 34-13 on the year and winners of 19 of their last 23 decisions, pounded out 15 hits on the night, including five extra-base hits. JCJC sophomore catcher Ryan Roberts, who doubled and homered, was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two runs batted in, while designated hitter Vito Perna knocked in four runs with three singles. Meanwhile, JCJC sophomore right-hander Andrew Pierce settled down to retire the last nine batters he faced following a leadoff walk to Jake Upton in the third inning. Pierce, a first-team NJCAA All-American last year as a freshman, limited EMCC to just three hits over five innings. The Southern Miss signee improved his season record to 9-1 with eight strikeouts and only one walk on the evening. Head coach Chris Rose’s 16-28 EMCC Lions must win Saturday’s Game 2 against Jones County in order to force a third and deciding playoff contest to take place 30 minutes following the preceding game. With Saturday’s first pitch set for 2 p.m. on the JCJC campus, the game(s) will be audiocast live on www.jcjc.tv. The winner of the best-of-three series between EMCC and JCJC will advance to participate in next week’s (May 12-14) four-team, double-elimination MACJC State Baseball Tournament. |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 07 May 2011 ) |
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