CLARKSDALE — CCC Baseball began its 2017 campaign in spectacular fashion Monday, beating the Blue Mountain College JV 16-0 and 9-1 in an Opening Day doubleheader. Sophomore Latalo Newson starred for the team, homering and driving in 6 runs in the 1st game before combining with fellow sophomore Chase Cotton for a 7-inning no-hitter in Game 2.

Bryan Pala started for the Tigers in Game 1, going 5 innings to get his first W of the season. The sophomore righty struck out 6 while surrendering 0 runs, 0 walks and just 2 singles. Wyatt Bailey provided strong relief, allowing only 1 hit over the final 2 frames to seal the win. Tiger pitchers did not allow a man into scoring position for the entirety of Game 1.

The offense provided plenty of support for the mound. The Tigers consistently got to BMC starter Quade Reeves, driving him from the game early. Newson drilled a 3-run home run in the 4th to make it 12-0, having  knocked in 3 runs on RBI singles in his previous 2 at bats.

Hayden Tapper reached base 4 times, scoring 3 times and driving in 1 run. Deaonteau Rieves finished 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored. Hunter Wilson racked up 2 hits and 2 RBIs in 3 at-bats. The Hinds transfer also scored twice. Zachary Gilder scored twice and reached base 3 times, twice with extra base hits. Hector Torres also reached 3 times. 

The Tigers got another strong pitching performance in Game 2, with Newson and Chance Cotton combining to throw the 1st no-hitter of head coach Lee Hodge's 3-year tenure. Newson set away the 1st 6 he faced to set the tone early. BMC got to him for a run on a sac fly by Colton Brown following 2 walks and a hit-by-pitch in the 3rd, but Newson kept a 0 in the hits column before giving way to Cotton in the 5th. 

Tiger bats established an early lead, scoring 7 times in the game's 1st 3 innings. Landon Fullilove reached 3 times, highlighting the early scoring barrage with a 2-RBI single with 2 outs in the 3rd. Rieves once again finished with 2 hits, and Zachary Gilder again reached base 3 times to drop the BMC JV to 0-2 on the year. 

CCC Baseball (2-0) will return to action on the road February 16th vs. the Crowley's Ridge JV in Paragould, AR. Start time at Crowley's Ridge is slated for 12 pm.

The team's full schedule is available HERE.