By By Tony Krausz/assistant sports editor
May 18, 2003
BAY MINNETE, Ala. Meridian Community College left fielder Josh Morgan isn't the only member of the team who can call the site of the Eagles' Super Regional championship series against the Faulkner State Community College Sun Chiefs Sweet Home Alabama.'
While its true the 6-foot-2 corner outfielder is the only native of the state, Morgan grew up in Thomasville, Ala., the entire team has found success in the Magnolia State's neighbor to the East.
MCC began its 39-17 season in Alabama taking two wins over Alabama Southern in Monroeville, Ala.
The Eagles finished the alpha-and-omega season by becoming the first team from the state to defeat an Alabama team on the road in the Super Regional.
MCC's trend of winning away from Scaggs Field wasn't the norm at the start of the year.
The Eagles dropped five straight games on the road, after defeating Alabama Southern.
It has been a long journey for the Queen City program, and the players found how to win away from home in the end.
Bring The Detergent
MCC wore its home gray uniforms to capture the Super Regional title on Sunday.
The Eagles had suited up in the team's old school' green jerseys for the opening two games of the series.
The throwback tops had been a source of good luck for the squad, who wore the old uniforms to capture the Region 23 title on May 11.
But the team couldn't wear the green tops, with a white boarder around the sleeves, for a second day because laundry detergent was errantly forgotten back in the Queen City.
MCC will be sure to load the bus with plenty of soap when the team heads off for Grand Junction, Colo., on Tuesday to play in the Junior College World Series.
The national championship play starts on Saturday, and the Eagles will play their first game on Sunday.
Return To The Mound
MCC right-handed pitcher Todd Doolittle didn't let the memory of his shortest start of the season linger.
The Meridian native uncharacteristically last just 11⁄3 innings in the opening game of the best-of-three series against the Sun Chiefs last Saturday.
Doolittle gave up four runs on three hits, with four walks, before being pulled from the game.
The staff ace, whose record stands at 11-2, return to the mound to help guide the team to the Super Regional championship and the school's sixth trip to the Junior College World Series.
The sophomore hurler returned to the mound at Stanley James Field on Saturday to pitch 31⁄3 innings of relief.
Doolittle allowed just one hit, while striking out four, to pick up the win that sent the team back to Grand Junction, Colo.
Leather Larceny
In a three-game series filled with big plays, MCC shortstop Brandon Rousseve executed the catch of the series in the third game on Sunday.
The New Orleans native saved a hit in the third inning with an over-the-shoulder catch of a fly ball.
Rousseve robbed Faulkner State first baseman William Crawford of a definite base hit sprinting out towards center field.
The middle infielder corralled the ball with a Willie May-like basket catch, with his back to the infield. The catch was the second of the inning for the Eagles.