CLARKSDALE- The Coahoma Baseball players stepped foot on the diamond aiming to get back on track in the 2019 season. The Tigers went on the road to split a doubleheader from Hinds in 2018. They were determined to step up against the Eagles again in a big turning point doubleheader. Coahoma returned with three runs in the eighth inning of Game One to upset No. 15 Hinds 7-6.
The Tigers were presented the chance to sweep the Eagles. They could have tied the game in the seventh inning, but Hinds had two strikeouts to end the rally in a 5-4 victory.
In Game One, Coahoma took an early 2-1 lead on a 2 RBI double by Jacob Compton. In the third inning, Hinds (15-4, 2-1 MACJC) tied the game 2-2 on an RBI single by Josh Cofield. Pablo Lanzarote stepped up for the Eagles with a solo home run to take a 4-2 lead.
The Tigers bounced back with a 2-run home run by Matt Bumpous tying the game 4-4. In the eighth inning, Hinds had some sacrifice flies by Connor Carter and Luke Clement to extend the lead to 6-4.
Coahoma scored three runs, including a game-winning 2-RBI single by Colton Norris.
Compton led the Tigers with two hits and 2 RBIs. Brandon Herring played a nice performance on the pitcher's mound. He pitched more than eight innings and gave up four runs on six hits. Herring also achieved three strikeouts.
In Game Two, Coahoma's effort to recover after being down four runs in the sixth inning came up just short, as they fell to 5-4. They scored three runs in the seventh inning on a single by Luis Hernandez and a fielder's choice by Drew Smith. The Tigers had the game-tying run in scoring position at second base. Garrett Ramsey stepped up for Hinds, ending the game with two strikeouts.
Pablo Lanzarote went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Hinds. Josh Banes led things off on the hill for Hinds Community College. He surrendered four runs on five hits over seven innings and struck out seven.
Smith, Hernandez, Joe Gee, Rodney Hibler and Matthew Bumpous each collected one hit to lead Coahoma. Diego Benitez took charge on the pitcher's mound for the Tigers' sake. He allowed two hits and one run over three and one-third innings, successfully striking out one. Davin Hetts threw three and two-thirds innings in relief.
"If we're fighting and putting an effort to win every game, this team can do some things. We had three chances to win and didn't come through. You can't do that if you're going to win in this league," said CCC Baseball Head Coach Lee Hodge. "Sweep is really nice. If you beat Hinds one out of two games, you did a good job."
Coahoma goes to (16-8, 2-4 MACJC) on the season. The Tigers will take on Meridian in an MACJC doubleheader on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at the Eddie C. Smith Sportsplex. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Viewers can catch the live streaming of the game online at www.coahomasports.com/watch and the broadcast on Coahoma's radio station WCQC 91.3 FM.
