By By Will Price/Special To The Star
April 17, 2001
The Meridian Wildcats closed out the regular season on a winning note by taking a 6-5 victory over the Clinton Arrows. Meridian also won the junior varsity game 14-4.
The Wildcats improved to 21-11, while the Arrows dropped to 13-14.
Tyler Maxwell came on in relief of John Hays Compton in the third inning and with the bases loaded, gave a gutsy performance striking out the last two batters to get out of the jam, Maxwell is now 5-2.
Tim O'Hara suffered the loss.
The Wildcats begin playoff action Thursday at John Moss Field against Long Beach at 7 p.m.
Multiple hitters for Meridian were Richmond Alexander with two, John Stevens with two, Sanduan Dubose with two, and McMillian with four, including a pair of two-baggers.
Clinton led 3-0 after plating one run in each of the first three innings before the Wildcats could get on the board.
McMillian singled home Stevens in the bottom half of the third to cut the deficit to 3-1.
McMillian doubled in the fifth, and later scored on a grounder by Torry Bates, making the score 3-2.
The Arrows scored their final run in the sixth.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Meridian started its comeback. Alexander, Stevens, and Dubose all singled to load the bases.
John Iverson then hit into a fielder's choice, forcing Alexander at the plate. McMillian then singled, bring in Stevens and Dubose, tying the game at four-all.
After shutting down Clinton in the seventh, Bates and Maxwell, were both hit by the pitcher, putting runners on first and second. Maurice Cole and Michael Collins were sent in to run for Bates and Maxwell.
Lance Burnham laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, that moved both Cole and Collins to second and third. Alexander then walked to load the bases.
Stevens then laid down a bunt that scored Cole, with the winning run.