GOODMAN- The Coahoma Community College Baseball program has been facing ups and downs all season long. The Tigers were looking to get a big performance on the road against Holmes Community College.
They experienced a promising start in the first game but their abrupt finish resulted in an 11-2 loss to the Bulldogs. Coahoma bounced back in Game 2 to win their 20th game of the season, finishing with a 10-8 victory.
In Game 1, Coahoma struggled to keep up with Holmes Community College, which pushed the Tigers to take an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Holmes Community College answered with one of their own.
Holmes (26-18, 9-17 MACJC) mashed two home runs on the day. Taj Porter went for the long ball in the second inning. Jaylen Armstrong made a home run in the fifth inning.
Cade Pinnix went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Holmes in hits. The Bulldogs stole five bases during the game while two individual players stole more than one. Jordan Szush led the way with two.
Albert Hughes got the start for Holmes. He lasted five innings, allowing six hits and two runs. Hughes managed to strike out six and walked one.
Joe Gee led the Tigers with two hits in two at-bats. Rodney Hibler was on the pitcher's mound for Coahoma. He allowed eight hits and 11 runs over the span of four innings to end up striking out five.
In Game 2, Coahoma ran off with the lead late in the game. The Tigers rose to the top with a 10-8 victory over Holmes. The game was tied at five with the Tigers batting in the top of the seventh. CCC Tiger Pedro Rubio singled on the first pitch of the at-bat and scored one run.
Coahoma built a 10-5 lead in the seventh inning then held off Holmes' comeback. Holmes scored three runs in the failed comeback on a double by Jimmy Burse and a home run by Anthony Fidanza.
Holmes racked up eight hits. Armstrong and Fidanza both accumulated multiple hits for the Bulldogs. Armstrong went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Holmes in hits.
Chris Guthrie was on the hill for Holmes. He surrendered four runs on four hits over one and one-third innings, striking out four and walking one. Payton Hanson and Ethan Gowan entered the game from the bullpen, throwing four innings as well as one and two-third innings respectively.
Coahoma stepped up offensively with ten hits. Jacob Compton and Drew Smith each collected numerous hits for the Tigers. Compton led Coahoma with three hits in four at-bats.
Coahoma tallied two home runs on the day. Matthew Bumpous contributed a homer in the second inning. Compton also had a dinger in the first inning.
Michael Westerfield catalyzed the win for Coahoma. He surrendered eight runs on eight hits over seven innings. His effort resulted in striking out seven.
Coahoma has bagged 20 games for the third straight year. The Sophomore Tigers have to get one more win in order to earn the title of most triumphant class in Coahoma Baseball history.
Coahoma goes to 20-24, 6-8 MACJC on the season. The Tigers will conclude the 2019 season against East Central Community College in an MACJC doubleheader on Sunday, May 5, 2019, in Decatur, Miss. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
