CLARKSDALE- The Coahoma and Mississippi Delta baseball teams recently renewed their rivalry in the MACJC doubleheader at The Eddie Smith Sportsplex. The first time the teams played each other was in a non-conference game where the Tigers ended up outplaying the Trojans in a 15-4 victory on March 7, 2019 in Senatobia, Mississippi. Coahoma's pitching and defense came up big in a 2-0 victory in Game One. But things went the opposite direction in Game Two when Mississippi Delta's offense rose up in a 13-4 victory.
In Game One, two pitchers combined to throw a shutout. The pitching was strong on both sides. Coahoma's pitchers struck out eight, while Mississippi Delta's Devontae Rhodes sat down six.
Brandon Herring got the start for Coahoma. He lasted eight and a third of the innings, allowing four hits and zero runs while striking out seven and walking one. Diego Benitez came in on the ninth inning to finish the game for the save.
Rhodes got the game hot for the Trojans (10-8, 2-2 MACJC). He went eight innings and allowed two runs on six hits, striking out six and walking one.
Joe Gee went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Tigers.
During Game Two, Coahoma watched the game slip away early. The Tigers, unfortunately, could not recover in a 13-4 loss to Mississippi Delta.
The Trojans scored on a 2 RBI single by Devontae Rhodes in the first inning, an RBI groundout by Parker Lane in the second inning, and another 2 RBI single by Rhodes in the second inning. The Trojans continued to add on to the lead with RBI singles by Carson Forrester, Cole Kelly and Ty Riche.
The Tigers struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time containing Mississippi Delta defensively, giving up 13 runs.
Coahoma rallied for three runs in the fifth inning. Drew Smith and Colton Norris got a pair of RBI doubles.
Chance Guthrie led things off on the pitcher's mound for Mississippi Delta. He lasted four innings. Guthrie let three hits and one run succeed while striking out four.
Rafael Hiraldo set the game ablaze for Coahoma. He surrendered four runs on four hits over one inning, striking out two. Michael Westerfield, Davin Hetts and Rodney Hibler each contributed in relief for the Tigers. Smith led Coahoma with two hits and an RBI.
Mississippi Delta Community College tallied 16 hits in the game. Rhodes, Drew Pounders, Logan Francher, Reed and Lane all managed multiple hits. Rhodes went 4-for-5 at the plate to lead the Trojans.
"Brandon waited on his opportunity and is doing very well. If you throw strikes, we can stay in the game," said Coahoma Head Coach Lee Hodge. "We played with a lot of intensity but Delta really jumped on us early. They are a really good team."
Coahoma goes to (15-7, 1-3 MACJC) on the season. The Tigers have also recently taken on on Hinds in an MACJC doubleheader on Saturday, Mar. 23, 2019 at The Eddie Smith Sportsplex. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Viewers can catch the game via a live stream online at www.coahomasports.com/watch as well as a live broadcast on Coahoma's radio station WCQC 91.3 FM.
