Wildcats edge Northwest Rankin

By Staff
From staff reports
April 6, 2001
The Meridian High Wildcats tuned up for their huge rivalry tilt tonight with West Lauderdale with a pivotal Division 5-5A victory over powerful and 10th-ranked Northwest Rankin in a 4-3 thriller Thursday night.
Hurler John Iverson was clutch in the bottom of the seventh for the Cats, retiring the hosts in order to quell any threat of a rally, including fanning the final two batters to improve to 6-2.
Joel Mangrum, who earlier pitched the Cougar win over MHS at John Moss Field, took the loss to drop to 5-2.
The Cats plated a run in the top of the first inning, but that was all of the offense either team would generate until the bottom of the fourth when the Cougars banged out a trio of scores to take control.
But the Cats, in an effort to avoid a sweep, got singles from Richmond Alexander and John Stevens to get things going in the top of the seventh.
After a sacrifice fly, Iverson came through with a clutch two-run triple that tied the game.
Torry Bates then stepped up and gave MHS the lead for good with an RBI single that scored pinch runner Greg Harris.
Iverson, allowed only six hits, and two walks, while striking out four.
Alexander led the way with three hits and a stolen base. He crossed the plate twice. Other multiple hitters for coach Vince McLemore were Bates and Kris Barnett.
With the win, Meridian forges a tie for first place in Division 5-5A with a record of 15-9, 4-1.
Northwest Rankin falls to 18-3 and 4-1.
MHS hosts West Lauderdale tonight at 7 p.m., at John Moss Field.
Wayne County 4, Brandon 1: In Bubba Hathorn's last season at the War Eagle helm, Wayne County notched its first Division 5-5A victory since 1999 with a home triumph over the Bulldogs.
The War Eagles notched a 3-0 lead before Brandon responded with a score in the top of the sixth.
Ty Lawson (3-4) shut down Brandon by fanning seven and walking just one. The Bulldogs only managed three hits during the one hour and forty minute contest.
WCHS (10-10, 1-4) got a 2-for-2 night from Brett Wilson with an RBI and Lawson helped himself out with an RBI double in the second frame.
Brandon hurt its chances with four miscues.
Northeast Lauderdale, Laurel 0: The Trojans throttled the Golden Tornadoes at home as Will Matlock (5-2) handcuffed them, allowing just three hits.
Matlock struck out six, while walking three through the mercy rule-shortened five inning game.
Adam Lester, Drew Anderson and Jay Jacobs came up big for the Trojans, who improved 10-8 and 5-4 in Division 5-4A. Each of them had two hits with Jacobs getting a pair of doubles and three RBIs.
Chase Spencer fueled the offensive attack with a three-run homer in the fourth frame. Matlock and Kyle Stoddard each had two RBIs. Brett Jones was sent to defeat for Laurel, who committed five errors.
The Trojans will play host to 5-4A foe Mendenhall tonight at 7 p.m.
Lake 6, Pelahatchie 0: The Hornets kept their streak alive with a shutout of the Chiefs at home.
Eric Watkins improved to 3-2 by throwing a two-hitter. The Chiefs had three errors to help send Brian Benson to the loss.
Jason Massey had a pair of hits for Brian Goodman, while Jeremiah Jones had two for the visitors.
As a staff, four pitchers saw action on the mound, totaling 11 Ks.
A four-spot in the bottom of the first for Lake set the tone.
The Hornets (16-6, 9-1 in Division 6-1A) take to the road to face off against Newton County Saturday at 7 p.m.
compiled by Richard Dark