Co-Lin bounces back to split with Northwest

WESSON – The Co-Lin Wolves bounced back from a 19-4 loss in game one to take game two 6-3 on a beautiful day for baseball. Thirteen sophomore players and two diamond dolls were honored for their hard work and dedication to Co-Lin baseball between games.

GAME 1

Northwest scored 19 runs on 11 hits to take game one 19-4. The Rangers put runs on the board in every inning but the third.

The Wolves got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Marquez Hudson (Monticello/Lawrence County High School) reached on an error and advanced to second on an error. Hudson advanced to third on a fly ball by Ben White (Natchez/Cathedral High School). Hunter Estes' (Purvis/Lamar Christian) RBI single scored.

Co-Lin scored their second and third runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on a RBI single by Kenner Bizot.

The final Co-Lin run came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Aaron Coats (Greenville/Greenville High School) drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a ground out by Cade Lowery (Wesson, Wesson High School). Colton Womack's (Liberty/Amite School Center) RBI single to center plated Coats.

Hudson led the Wolves at the plate with a double. Bizot singled for two RBIs. Estes, Lowery and Womack collected a single apiece.

For Northwest, Peyton Mills, Noah Hattier, Peeko Townsend and Garrett Riggs had multiple hits. Adding support with a hit apiece were Peyton Puckett, Caleb Hobson, Kelton Hall and Landon Rogers.

Starting pitcher Caleb Rutledge (Calhoun, LA/West Ouachita High School) absorbed the loss for Co-Lin. He allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits, struck out six and walked six in 3.1 innings. Also seeing action for Co-Lin, Hunter Reinike (/Copiah Academy) one earned run, one hit, one strikeout, two walks, 1.1 innings; Micah Parker (Kosciusko/Kosciusko High School) two earned runs, one hit; Lane Hanna (Union/Union High School), two earned runs, one hit, two walks; Rhett Blackburn (Hattiesburg/ Oak Grove High School), five earned runs, two hits, one walk, 1.1 innings; Lance Elsen (Canton/Canton Academy) two earned runs, two hits, one strikeout, one walk.

Hammer Franks threw six innings, allowed three runs (two earned), three strikeout and one walk. Lathem Hill relieved Franks in the seventh inning allowing one run on one hit and walked one.

GAME 2

Jacob Spinks picked up the win for Co-Lin. He allowed two runs (one earned), scattered six hits, struck out four and walked three in six innings of work.  

Northwest took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a Rogers RBI single to left field. Co-Lin would answer in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Biggs singled to right field. Hudson followed with a two-run home run to straight away center field to put the Wolves up 2-1.

The Wolves added three runs in the bottom of the third. Estes singled and Braydon Muse (Florence/Florence High School) drew a walk. Noah Freeman (Mendenhall/Simpson Academy) hit an RBI single to right scoring Estes. Parker hit a three-run home run to put Co-Lin up 6-1.

The Rangers added run in the top of the third inning courtesy of a Co-Lin error.  

Northwest would threaten again in the top of the seventh. Wesley Lester lead off with a double to center and advanced to second on a balk. Mills wo-3uld drive him in on a fly ball to right to close the Co-Lin lead 6-3, but relief pitcher Tucker Jones would strike out the final two batters to preserve the win.

Biggs led the Wolves at the plate with a pair of singles. Parker and Hudson homered. Estes and Freeman collected a single apiece.

At the plate for the Rangers, Mills had a pair of singles. Adding support with a hit were Puckett, Hobson, Lester, Rogers and Hattier.

Jones relieved Spinks in the seventh. He allowed one earned run on one hit and struck out two.

Presley absorbed the loss for Northwest. He gave up six earned runs on five hits, struck out two and walked three on 2.2 innings of work. Joel Wilkinson relieved Presley in the third inning. He allowed one hit and struck out four.

NEXT UP: Co-Lin (19-19, 15-11) travels to Raymond for a doubleheader with the Hinds Eagles on Tuesday, April 20, beginning at 3 p.m.