Knights hold off rally for win over Cats

By By Jamie Sullivan/staff writer
March 10, 2002
The West Lauderdale Knights held off a last inning comeback by Meridian Saturday night to claim a 4-3 victory.
The Knights got their first run in the second inning, to claim an early 1-0 lead.
West Lauderdale struck again in the fifth inning, when Van Wilson hit a Ken Griffey Jr., style home run to put the Knights up 4-0. Wilson drove in Randy Diveley and Ike Munn.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Knights were threatened again, but they came up short, as a base runner was called out for running over the catcher at home plate.
Richmond Alexander doubled in Greg Harris in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Cats on the board.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Maurice Cole doubled to right field to score Andy Slayton and cut the Knight lead to 4-2. The Cats got robbed in the sixth inning by West Lauderdale short stop Trent Posey. Posey made a leaping, run saving stab to end Meridian's chances of scoring.
As the seventh inning rolled around, Meridian needed needed two runs to stay alive and go into extra innings.
John Iverson had a lead-off home run to make things peppy in the last inning. West Lauderdale pitcher, Jamie Fontan, hit the next batter, giving him a free walk to first base.
After two consecutive outs by the Knights defense, the game was over with West coming out on top 4-3.
The Knights were lead in hitting by Ike Munn with a double and Van Wilson with a three-run homer.
Meridian was lead in hitting by Alexander with a double, Cole with a double, and Stevens with a home run.
Torry Bates suffered the loss, while Fontan picked up the win for the Knights.
Both teams will be in action Monday, when they travel to Hattiesburg for the Hattiesburg Invitational. The 8-2 Knights will face Clinton, while 10-5 Meridian entertains Lumberton.