Lady Wolves clinch playoff spot with sweep over Holmes

WESSON, Miss. – The Lady Wolves of Copiah-Lincoln Community College clinched a playoff spot on Saturday with two wins, 2-1, 4-1, over Holmes Community College on sophomore day to conclude the 2018 regular season. The thrilling games give Co-Lin a 26-17 overall record and move the team to 17-11 on the year in MACJC play. Playoffs will take place on Friday and Saturday, April 27-28. Game times, location, and opponent is to be determined.

"These games were a good way for us to finish the regular season," said Co-Lin head coach Allen Kent. "We've won nine of our last 10 and head into the playoffs playing our best ball of the season."

Game One, W, 2-1 (nine innings)

Seven innings was not enough in game one as Bailey Root and Holmes' Brooklyne Eubands went toe-to-toe in the circle. Hits and runs were tough to come by as both pitchers located the ball for most of the afternoon.

Holmes got on the board in the top of the fifth with an RBI single from Arender. The Lady Wolves did not strike back until the bottom of the sixth when Callie Fortenberry hit an infield RBI single. The shot scored Alexsundria Thomas who reached base on an error.

Things looked to go in Co-Lin's favor in the first extra frame as the Lady Wolves loaded the bases, but were unable to push a run across. Co-Lin got out of the top of the ninth with a double play to give the Lady Wolves some momentum going into the bottom half.

Co-Lin's Paige Hulin singled in the bottom of the ninth and reached third on a throwing error with two outs. Alexsundria Thomas followed with a towering fly ball that went in and out of Holmes' centerfielder's hands to allow Hulin to cross the plate for Co-Lin.

Root earned the win for the Lady Wolves in the circle after a complete game. She allowed seven hits and one run over nine innings, striking out two and walking one.

"Bailey threw it well and we played really good defense behind her," said Kent. "We didn't collect many hits, but hung in there and finally cashed in with Zun's deep drive."

Game Two, W, 4-1

Holmes took an early in game two in the top of the second with a walk with the bases loaded. The run was the Lady Bulldog's only run in the nightcap.

Co-Lin broke the game open in the bottom of the third with a three RBI singles in a row from Alexsundria Thomas, Taylor Bryant, and Tori Pettit. The offensive explosion gave the Lady Wolves a 3-1 lead.

The Lady Wolves added another in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI groundout from Alex Anthony.

Neither team was able to get anything going in the final innings of play as the Lady Wolves' defense locked down and Mackenzie Smith entered to earn the save.

Christian Black was credited with the victory for the Lady Wolves. She lasted five innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out three. Smith threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.

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