CLARKSDALE– The Coahoma Baseball team was ready for action on Opening Day at Eddie C. Smith Sportsplex. The Tigers started out with a bang but had a wake-up call at the end. They split a doubleheader against Central Baptist College on Monday Afternoon. Coahoma won the first game 6-0, but Central Baptist rallied in the 7th to win the second game 6-5. 

Eduardo Munoz shut down the Mustangs in the first game. He threw a complete game shutout and leading Coahoma to a 6-0 win. The Tigers secured the victory thanks to five runs in the second inning. Their offense was led by Matthew Newcomb, Christopher Pittman, Joe Gee, and Marquellus Edgeston, all knocking in runs in the inning.

Coahoma opened up scoring in the second inning, when Newcomb singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run.

Central Baptist College (1-1) tried to get things going with a single by Brandon Higgenbotham in the fifth inning. Munoz got them out the inning with two strikeouts. Munoz allowed three hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out 11 and walking zero.

Jay French was on the mound for Central Baptist College. He surrendered five runs on five hits over three innings, striking out one. Chris Davis and Gavin Johnson entered the game from the bullpen, throwing two innings and one inning respectively.

Pittman led Coahoma with two hits in three at bats.

It was a completely different story in the second game. Central Baptist College came back from a 3-1 deficit scoring five runs in the 7th in a 6-5 victory. The game was tied at three top of the seventh when Central Baptist's Jacob Rose doubled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. The Mustangs took their first lead 4-3. They scored two more runs to extend the lead to 6-3. 

In the bottom of the 7th, Coahoma rallied with an RBI single by Joe Gee and RBI triple by Hector Torres cutting the lead to 6-5. They had the bases loaded with two outs and a chance to tie the game. Deonteau Rieves pops up a line drive, and Central's Michael Smith makes the catch to end the game.

Coahoma was out-hitting Central Baptist College eight to seven.They fired up the offense in the first inning, when Zac Gilder drew a walk, scoring one run.

Zach Jamison was on the mound for Central Baptist College. He lasted three innings, allowing three hits and three runs while striking out two.

Rafael De Leon got the start for Coahoma. He surrendered one run on two hits over four and two-thirds innings, striking out seven. Austin Pace threw two and a third innings in relief.

The Tigers racked up eight hits. Kyler Johnson, Joe Gee, and Colton Norris each had multiple hits. They each collected two hits to lead Coahoma. 

Coahoma was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Alexis Rodriguez made the most plays with 11.

Jay French went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Central Baptist. Central Baptist College didn't commit a single error in the field. Nikaylen Morrison had six chances in the field, the most on the team.

Coahoma goes to 1-1 on the season. They will continue their nonconference schedule against  Blue Mountain College. The game is set for 12 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, at Eddie C. Smith Sportsplex.

It will be part of a doubleheader followed by game two at 3 p.m.

The game will broadcast live at www.coahomasports.com/watch. Pregame will be at 11:55 a.m.