Lineup switch pays off for MCC

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
May 28, 2003
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Meridian Community College made a last minute lineup change before its second game of the 2003 Alpine Bank Junior College World Series.
Eagles head baseball coach Michael Federico swapped second baseman Pat Hope out of the lineup for Kyle Ginn just before the team took the field against the Seminole (Fla.) Community College Raiders on Tuesday afternoon. Federico would only say the game-time change was made for disciplinary reasons.
Ginn made the most of his unexpected insertion into the lineup. The freshman from Tylertown went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs batting in the ninth spot of the order. He also recorded one put out and three assists in the Eagles 9-1 win.
Quick games
The 10 teams at the 46th annual Junior College World Series are putting up runs at an alarming rate. Through the first game of the tournament's fourth day, the teams have combined for 159 run in 11 games.
The high run output has also led to shorter games this year. Seven of the 11 games have ended by the run rule. Three games have ended after five inning by the 10-run rule, and three have been decided after seven innings by the eight-run rule. One game has gone to eight innings before the eight-run rule ended the contest.
MCC has been on both sides of the run-rule, losing its first game in seven innings to Walters State (Tenn.) Community College on Sunday. The Eagles won their elimination game against Seminole (Fla.) Community College in seven innings on Tuesday.
Power surge
Grayson County (Texas) Community College tied a Junior College World Series for home runs by one team in one game Monday afternoon. Grayson County left the yard eight times in its 16-1 win over Seminole. The two teams combined for 56 total bases, and Grayson County also notched two doubles and a triple in the win. Seminole hit one home run and a double.
Extra incentive
MCC centerfielder Sam Self is on pace to get the No. 7 jersey from assistant coach Chad Caillet. The freshman from Madison made a deal with the assistant skipper that if he hit .500 at the World Series, with a minimum of 10 plate appearances, he would get to wear No. 7 next season. Self is currently carrying a .571 average after seven at bats.