No. 7 Pearl River too much for Wolves

WESSON – The No. 7 ranked Pearl River Wildcats came into Sullivan Field tied for the nation's lead in home runs with 16 and a slugging percentage of .789. Those numbers increase as they swept a pair of games from the Co-Lin Wolves 10-2 and 14-4. The Wildcats collected 35 hits, five of them home runs on the day.

"We got beat by a really good team today," said Co-Lin head coach Clay Smith. "We hit some balls really hard in both games that went right to them. Our guys played hard and never quit, no matter what the scoreboard read. I was pleased with our effort. Pearl River was just better than we were today. That may different next time."

GAME 1

After two scoreless innings, the Wildcats plated six runs as 11 men went to the plate. Three doubles, four singles, a passed ball and a walk all aided the big inning for PRCC.

In the top of the sixth inning PRCC struck for two more runs. Von Seibert led off the inning with a solo home run to center field. Graham Crawford singled and stole second. Austen Izzio knocked in Crawford to put the Wildcats up 7-0.

Co-Lin would answer in the bottom of the inning as Noah Freemen (Mendenhall/Simpson Academy) walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Marques Hudson (Monticello/Lawrence County High School) doubled to right field scoring Freeman. Hunter Richardson (Brookhaven/Enterprise) smoked a single to center as Hudson crossed the plate to close the PRCC lead to 8-1.

The Wildcats would add two more runs in the top of the ninth. Taylor Woodrock drew a walk and Tate Parker would hit a homer to center field to give the Wildcats the 10-2 win.

Turner Swistak picked up the win for PRCC. He pitched five scoreless innings striking out three, walking one and giving up two hits. Bryion Robinson threw an inning allowing two runs on two hits, striking out two and walking two. Landon Rawson would pitch the seventh inning allowing one hit, striking out two and walking one.

Absorbing the loss for Co-Lin was starter Caleb Rutledge (Calhoun, LA/West Ouachita High School). Rutledge allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits, struck out two and walked four in three innings of work. Tanner Watts (Brookhaven/Brookhaven Academy) threw the next two innings giving up two runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking one. Sevante Quinn (Brookhaven/Brookhaven High School) pitched 1.1 innings, gave up two runs on one hit, stuck out one and walked one. Hunter Reinike (Terry/Copiah Academy) finished the game allowing one hit and striking out one.

Seibert led the 19 hit attack for the Wildcats, going 4-for-5 with a home run, triple, and two singles for two RBIs. Woodcock, Parker (three RBIs), Crawford, Izzio, and John Griffin Bell had two hits apiece.

Richardson led Co-Lin in hitting with a pair of singles and an RBI. Hudson, Will-Lawson Harkins, Tom Biggs, and Reed Barlow had one hit apiece.

GAME 2

 PRCC kept up their offensive attack on Co-Lin pitching hammering out 15 hits in the nightcap. The Wildcats took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the third inning. The Wolves would answer with three runs of their own. Ben White (Natchez/Cathedral) drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. Noah Freeman (Mendenhall/Simpson Academy) smashed a double to center field scoring Freeman. Hudson homers to left field to close the PRCC lead to 5-3.

A grand slam by John Griffin Bell, a double, three singles, two hit batsmen, and two walks produced an eight run fourth inning giving the Wildcats a 13-3 lead.

Co-Lin avoided being run ruled in the bottom of the fifth inning as they added a run to make the score 13-4. Peyton Parker, who was hit by a pitch, scored on Hudson's double to left field.

PRCC added another run in the top of the sixth and the Wolves were unable to answer.

Notching the win for PRCC was Landon Gartman of Bogue Chitto. Gartman allowed three runs on three hits, struck out five and walked three in three innings of work. Landon Harper (one hit, three strikeouts), Eric Newsome (one hit, one run, two strikeouts), and Trace McNabb (one hit, one strikeout) all threw an inning in relief.

Absorbing the loss for Co-Lin was Jacob Spinks (Jonesville, LA/Monterey High School). Spinks allowed five runs on six hits, struck out four and walked four in three innings of work. Lane Hanna (Union/Union High School), Micah Parker (Kosciusko/Kosciusko High School), Braxton Henley (Hattiesburg/Presbyterian Christian), and Lance Elsen (Madison/Canton Academy) provided relief pitching for the Wolves.

At the plate for PRCC, Parker led the way with four hits. Bell added three hits and five RBIs. Matt Marcer, Izzio, and Nick Skaggs had two hits piece. D. K. Donaldson and Kasey Donaldson had a hit apiece.

The Wolves were led by Hudson with a home run and a double, Braydon Muse (Florence/Florence High School) had a pair of singles. Freeman doubled and adding support with a single was Kenner Bizot.

NEXT UP – The Wolves travel to Decatur to take on East Central on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.