Meridian falls to Grayson County

By by Tony Krausz/assistant sports editor
May 31, 2004
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Meridian Community College couldn't capitalize on a towering home run in the sixth inning and the loss of its coach on Sunday.
The Eagles (46-14) fell 18-13 to the Grayson County (Texas) College Vikings (45-17) at Suplizio Field for their second loss of the Junior College World Series.
The loss eliminated MCC from the 10-team, double-elimination tournament. The Eagles lost to Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College 9-5 on Saturday.
Federico was tossed from the game after arguing a call at third base with one out in the fifth. The third-year Eagles skipper had argued a call at first base the play before, with his team down 12-8.
Grayson tallied one run after Federico was escorted off the field of play, but MCC rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth to cut the Vikings' lead to 13-12.
Eagles first baseman Joey Lieberman capped the scoring in the top of the sixth with a two-run home run just to the left of the 20-foot screen in center field.
The Vikings responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth for a 17-12 advantage, as the Eagles sent three pitchers to the mound in the inning.
MCC loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning with two outs, but Lieberman flew out to center field to end the threat.
The Eagles tallied one run with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the eight off a single by center fielder Toddrick Johnson to cut the Vikings' lead to 17-13, but Grayson picked up a run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth to end the game's scoring.
The two teams combined for 15 runs in the first two innings, with MCC holding an 8-7 edge early in the game.
Grayson continued its strong offensive performance in the third inning, after holding MCC scoreless in the top of the third.
The Vikings tied the game at eight the game on a fielder's choice, and they took a 10-8 lead with a two-run single from catcher John Schindler.
Grayson posted two more runs in the third off a MCC error in the outfield and an RBI double from first baseman Sukhyun Nam for a 12-8 advantage.
Lieberman gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a two-run triple, but the Vikings tied the game in the bottom of the first, scoring on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded and a passed ball.
MCC took an 8-2 lead in the top of third inning, scoring six runs off six hits. Eagles third baseman Van Pope recorded the only extra-base hit of the third with an RBI double.
Grayson didn't stay down long posting five runs in the bottom of the second, with the help of two MCC errors and a three-run home run by Schindler to cut the Eagles' lead to 8-7.
Vikings reliever A.T. Cole recorded the win giving up seven runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings, and Eagles reliever Dusty Davis, the second of seven pitchers MCC used, took the loss giving up five runs on four hits in 1.1 innings.
Schindler went 4-for-6 with six RBIs for Grayson, and designated hitter Rob Mann went 4-for-5.
Grayson will play the winner of the game between Seminole State (Okla.) College and Potomac State College of West Virginia at 11 a.m. today.