By Staff
Feb. 18, 2001
By Richard Dark
The Meridian Star
If the first test is any indication, the Meridian Community College Lady Eagles softball team promises to be as successful as last year's squad which made it to the NJCAA National Tournament in Kississmee, Fla.
The Lady Eagles got their 2001 campaign off to a positive start with a doubleheader sweep of the Gordon (Ga.) College Highlanders at Northeast Park Saturday, including a 7-1 win in the opener.
New hurler Ryan Reid, a transfer from Chattanooga State, took the hill in the opener and scattered 11 hits while giving up the Highlanders' lone run in the final defensive frame.
MCC head coach Robert Eakins feels his squad is a little thin coming out of the gate, but hopes that will improve as time goes on.
And his impression of the newcomer's initial performance?
MCC broke a scoreless tie with a pair of runs in the third and fourth innings, before Auriel Jenkins slammed a home run. Sophomore LaKenya Wilson, one of six returnees from last season, had a 2-for-3 effort.
The Lady Eagles tacked on another pair in the sixth to take the 7-0 lead before the Highlanders added one for the final margin. Brandi Oliver took the opening loss for Gordon.
Reid is no stranger to playing on teams that make it to Disney World, having gone last year with Chattanooga State. She said she feels MCC's chances of going even farther in the big tourney are one of the main reasons she came to the Lady Eagle program.
MCC 3, Gordon 1: In the second game, Adcox, a 25-game winner from last season came on in the final game and held the Highlanders down with with three hits and an unearned run.
MCC took the win with a game-winning, two-run homer from Wilson in the bottom of the seventh.
The Highlanders scored their only run on a two-base throwing error in the fourth to tie the game at one. Jessica Guest took the loss for Gordon (1-3), as she relinquished eight hits.
MCC (2-0) turned two double plays and left six on base.
The Lady Eagles will be back in action this weekend, as they host the Rush Classic Friday and Saturday.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.