Lions roar into postseason in finale

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
April 27, 2003
SCOOBA East Mississippi Community College and East Central Community College entered the final baseball double-header of the squads' regular seasons with a world of possibilities.
The Lions (18-25, 8-8 Central Division) started the two-game set needing to sweep the Warriors to earn a berth into the Region 23 tournament.
ECCC came into the contest at Gerald Poole Field needing one win to qualify for the Region 23 tournament and a sweep to qualify for the region and state tourneys.
The pieces of the postseason puzzle fell into place for EMCC in the first game, as the Lions captured a 6-5 win to start the double dip. The home team kept the good times rolling in the second game picking up a 5-0 victory.
EMCC's sweep puts Holmes Community College in the state tournament.
Lions game-two starting pitcher Ryan Clay tossed a complete-game victory to eliminate the Warriors from postseason contention.
The right-hander hurler from West Lauderdale allowed one hit in the victory, and he notched six strike outs.
Lions third baseman Drew Powell snagged the first game for his team scoring on a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning to snap the five-run tie.
The sophomore corner infielder led off the inning drawing a walk, and he made his way to third via stealing second base and moving to the hot corner on a wild pitch from Warriors reliever Justin Darby.
Powell broke for home after a 2-2 pitch to Lions second baseman Dusty Snider alluded Warriors catcher Jacob Townsend with two outs.
ECCC appeared to take control of the game and its postseason destiny in the top of the fifth inning.
McNeil erased a 3-2 Lions' lead with a two-run homer over the left-field wall to take a 4-2 advantage.
Warriors third baseman Michael Dunn notched an insurance run for the visiting team in the fifth with a sacrifice fly to center field for a 5-2 lead.
The Lions cut the Warriors lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning scoring a run on a sacrifice fly to left field by shortstop David Nanney, who tallied two doubles in the opening-game victory.
EMCC tied the game at five in the bottom of the sixth inning on an ECCC error to set up the dramatic opening-game finish.
Lions center fielder Wade Whitaker hit a sharp ground ball up the middle that Warriors shortstop Brian McNeil mishandled.
The fielding miscue allowed pinch-runner Bruce Branch to motor around half the infield from second base to score the tying run.
Lions relief pitcher Will Matlock picked up the win, after entering the game in relief of starter Lee Boyd.
The freshman right-hander allowed no runs or hits in two innings or work, with two strikeouts.
EMCC made the necessary adjustments at the plate in the second game of the day.
The Lions broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning notching five runs to produce the final margin of victory.
Nanney led off the inning with a double, and Whitaker, Josh Snider, first baseman Lance Martin, catcher Justin McMullan and Dusty Snider each notched RBI singles for the win.