CLARKSDALE—The Baseball Tigers closed out the month of March with wins against Rhodes College and Itawamba on Monday and Tuesday respectively. They split doubleheaders with each team.

CCC took on a mix of varsity and junior varsity players at Rhodes in Memphis on Monday, upending the Lynx 9-2 in Game 1 behind a strong start by Michael Allen. Allen pitched 5 strong innings to earn his first win of the year.

Zach Morris, John Pafford, TJ Knowles, and Braxton Wall, the 5-6-7-8 men in the order for CCC, combined to reach base 11 times, and the Tigers cruised to an easy win against the Lynx. 

Game 2 was a slightly different story. The Tigers carried a 1-run lead into the 7th and final inning before the Lynx were able to ignite a two-out rally to steal a win. 

The Tigers returned home on Tuesday and earned their second victory in as many days with a thrilling victory over the Itawamba Indians.

The home squad jumped out to an early 5-0 lead courtesy of a two-out, first-inning explosion that featured 5 Tiger hits, including RBI knocks from Adam Cook, Braxton Wall, and Quavantae McGregory. 

CCC led 6-1 after 4, but Itawamba was able to spark a rally of its own, forcing extra innings and then taking an 8-6 lead in the top half of the 10th. 

Once again, it was a two-out rally that was the Tigers' salvation. They got a huge RBI double from Hudson Ross to keep them alive, and after managing to score 1 to make the score 8-7, had the bases loaded against ICC relief man TJ Watson. 

When the first of Watson's pitches to TJ Knowles got away, pinch runner Luis Colon came in to tie the game. When the catcher Cody Young's throw to a covering Watson also got away, Zach Morris was able to score the winning run, giving the Tigers their first victory at home this season.

Garrett Short got the win in the game for CCC after entering in the final inning in relief of Adam McPhail. 

Short would start Game 2 and would turn in another quality start, carrying a 3-hitter into the 6th. Itawamba would again rally, scoring twice in the 6th to tie the game. The Tigers left the bases loaded in the 7th and final frame to go to extra innings, where Itawamba took the lead. This time, they would not give it back. They salvaged a victory, 4-2, to split the twinbill. 

CCC now stands at 3-25 overall and 2-12 in conference play.

The Tigers next take on Marion April 7th at home. A livestream will be available at coahomasports.com and/or mixlr.com/jzanaboni.