Oops! Balk gives East Central victory over East Mississippi

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Feb. 23, 2004
East Central Community College received a little help from the rule book, as the team picked up its second win in as many games at the Rush Classic Baseball Tournament on Sunday.
The Warriors (2-3) tallied their final run in a 3-2, 10-inning win over East Mississippi Community College (2-3) on a balk, which allowed ECCC pinch runner Daniel Harrison to score.
Warriors designated hitter Michael Dunn led off the bottom of the 10th inning drawing a walk, and Harrison replaced him on the base paths.
ECCC right fielder Dexter Sellers followed the walk with a single to left field, and Harrison and Sellers moved to third and second base, respectively, on a groundout to second base by Bryan Bennett.
With runners on the corners, EMCC coach Bill Baldner brought in Jonathan Russell to replace reliever Andrew Pylate.
Russell was called for a balk for breaking his hands before stepping off the pitching rubber before throwing a pitch.
The Lions forced the extra inning by coming back from a two-run deficit in the top of the sixth inning.
EMCC designated hitter Justin Faulkner dropped ECCC's lead down to 2-1 with a groundout to the shortstop, allowing Rod Williams to score from third base.
Lions catcher Justin Best tied the game at two with an RBI double to right field to bring home David Nanney, who reached base on a single. Nanney finished the game going 2-for-3, with a single and a double.
Dunn, who went 2-for-3 in the game, gave ECCC a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning by smashing a two-run homer over the left-field wall.
The Warriors ended the game recording seven hits, and the Lions had six.
ECCC relief pitcher Brent McMillan notched the win allowing no runs on three hits with four strikeouts in four innings. EMCC's Andrew Pylate, who relieved Robert Tucker in the seventh, took the loss giving up one run on three hits in 3.1 innings with three strikeouts.
The Lions continue their season against Gulf Coast Community College at 1 p.m. Wednesday at home in a doubleheader. The Warriors meet Southwest Community College in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Wednesday at home.