Long day for the EMCC Lions

By By Jeff Byrd/staff writer
March 24, 2002
SCOOBA It was a long day in Scoobyville for the East Mississippi Lions here against Northwest Community College.
The Rangers pounded the Lions twice in the opening action of the Mississippi Junior College North Division. Northwest nearly won both games by run-rule but instead settled for an 11-3 win in game one and 13-0 romp in five innings in game two.
The sweep puts the Rangers at 14-3 overall and two games up in the north division. East Mississippi falls to 7-14 overall and 0-2 in division play.
Lions head coach Bill Baldner was very disappointed in his team's showing and indicated that if things don't turnaround, his team faces a long, hard season.
Northwest 13
East Mississippi 0
The Rangers used a 10-run second inning to pretty much finish off the sweep. Matt Smith had a big inning drilling a pair of two-run singles to highlight the at-bat. The second hit capped the rally giving Northwest a commanding 12-0 lead.
Troy Martin had a two-run double to add fuel to the fire. There were also three walks and a hit batsman in the inning.
With such a big lead, Northwest pitcher Paul Fowler had an easy time closing out the game, striking out six. The Lions managed just three hits. Todd Harcrow, Chad Carlson and Prentiss McLaurin had the hits.
Northwest 11
East Mississippi 3
The Lions were one out away from having the first game end via run-rule in the sixth inning. Clarkdale product Matt Minchew extended the game to another at bat when he belted a two-out, two-run double that produced the game's final of 11-3.
Northwest picked up its 13th win of the year by scoring two runs in the first, two in the second and five more in third to build a 9-0 lead.
The Rangers were led by Donovan who had two hits including a double while Martin had a two-run double. Smith scored twice. Josh Barton got the win in moving to 2-1 on the season. Frank Dimino took the loss. East will have three division double-headers next week. A make-up twinbill with Mississippi Delta is set for Wednesday. The team travels to Goodman to battle Holmes on Tuesday.