Meridian sweeps pair from Co-Lin

WESSON - The Meridian Eagles swept a pair of games from the Co-Lin Wolf Pack 9-2 and 11-4. 

"We got beat in every aspect of the game," said Co-Lin head coach Clay Smith. "Meridian took advantage of our mistakes and we just didn't do a good job of responding. Offensively, we had our chances, but we left way too many runners on base. Our pitchers threw strikes, for the most part, but we just couldn't put anybody away. Will Larson Harkins had a great day at the plate. That was one bright spot. We were able to see some guys pitch that we are going to need as we get deeper into the season. We will regroup, keep working and get back out there Thursday against PRCC."

GAME 1 RECAP

The Eagles used a seven run second inning off Co-Lin starter Tucker Jones to take control of the game. Braden Luke hit a 3-RBI double and John Mitchell had a 2-run home run as the Eagles racked up 6 hits. Brett Mason doubled, Cayleb Dyess had an RBI single, Keshun Collier and Banks Tolley singled. Meridian added another run in the top of the third on a Tolley double. The Wolves got on the board in the bottom half of the of the third. Aiden Singley reached on an error. Will Lawson Harkins singles. Peyton Parker's sacrifice fly scores Singley to get Co-Lin on the board 8-1. Meridian adds a run in the top of the fifth to take a 9-1 lead. The Wolves put a run in the bottom of the fifth as Biggs singled, Parker and Marques Hudson are issued back-to-back walks to load the bases. Hunter Richardson grounds out scoring Biggs to make the score 9-2.

GAME 2 RECAP

Meridian scored a run in the first and two in the third to take a 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the inning with one out, Noah Freeman singles to right field, steals third, and scores on Harkins singles to right to make the score 3-1. The Eagles added two more runs in the top of the fourth to push their lead to 5-1. Co-Lin added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Freeman and Harkins hit back-to-back singles. Biggs is hit by a pitch to load the bases. Hudson hits an RBI single to score Freeman to cut the Meridian lead to 5-2. But the flood gates opened in the top of the sixth as Meridian plated 6 runs to go up 11-2. Co-Lin would add a run in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman Wade Nichols reached on an error. Colton Womack is hit by a pitch and Freeman singles to left to load the bases. Harkins hits a sacrifice fly to center as Nichols scores, but the Wolves were unable to score anymore runs. In the bottom of the seventh, Co-Lin would threaten again. Pinch hitter Joe Pearson would draw a leadoff walk, Richardson and Hunter Estes would be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nichols singles to right scoring Pearson. Womack hits in a double play to end the threat. Meridian pounded out 15 hits in the game. 

QUICK HITS

•  Will Lawson Harkins goes 5-for-8 (2 RBIs) including a double on the day

• Noah Freeman goes 3-for-3 in Game 2

• Marques Hudson goes 2-for-3 with an RBI in Game 2

• Sevante Quinn throws 2 scoreless innings striking out 2 in relief

UP NEXT

The Wolves will host No. 7 ranked Pearl River for a doubleheader at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Co-Lin will travel to Decatur for a doubleheader against the East Central Warriors on Friday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.

LIVE STREAMING

Tuesday's game will be live streamed at www.colinathletics.com/live_stream and on WMJU 104.3 FM in Brookhaven.