Lions return to diamond
By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
May 8, 2003
SCOOBA If the East Mississippi Community College baseball team doesn't seem that nervous about the prospect of playing in the double-elimination Region 23 Tournament that begins today, it's because the squad has already had to stave off an early end to its season.
The Lions (18-25, 8-8 Central Division) have battled to keep their season going since April 23.
EMCC entered the final week of the regular season with a 4-8 divisional mark, and the team had to sweep the final two double-headers on the schedule for a shot at the postseason.
The Lions pressed through the final week posting the needed sweeps against Hinds Community College and East Central Community College at Gerald Poole Field to earn their regional berth.
EMCC didn't just write its own ticket into the Region 23 Tournament, with its regular season ending sweep of ECCC; it also got a week off after the up-hill climb at the end of the season.
The Lions did not play in the MACJC Baseball Tournament at Scaggs Field, which is also the site of the regional tourney, last weekend.
While the little over a week break between games may have helped the team, the Lions have not forgotten the last time they came out of a long break from the field.
EMCC tallied five straight wins before the squad broke for Spring Break after a 4-1 win over Jones County Junior College on March 5.
When the team returned to the baseball fray, the Lions swept a double-header against Northeast Community College at home, but EMCC went into a nine-game tail spin after the two victories.
The slump after Spring Break may be on the squad's minds, but it is not being brought up vocally.
What is being brought up is EMCC's first-round opponent.
The Lions, who enter the tournament as the sixth seed, square off against perineal powerhouse and No. 1-seeded Delgado Community College (27-12) in the first game of the tournament at 1 p.m. today.
EMCC may be the underdog in the game against Delgado, but the team is not overly concerned with its opponents past.
In fact, some members of the team are not aware of the Dolphins former accomplishments on the diamond.
The Lions will use sophomore pitcher Lee Boyd to slay the Dolphins.
The Columbus native posted a 2-6 record during the regular season, with an ERA under four.
Boyd's record may not be intimidating, but he has proved to be the staff's workhorse this year pitching a team-high 61 1/3 innings.
How the experience of playing win-or-go-home baseball will help the Lions in the tournament remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain, EMCC knows what it takes to win the proverbial "must-win game."
