Eagles Rally Past Southwest in Game One, Split MACCC Doubleheader

MERIDIAN, Miss. — Meridian Community College softball battled through a competitive MACCC doubleheader Wednesday at Tommy McDonald Field, rallying for a come-from-behind win in game one before falling in the nightcap to split with Southwest.

The Eagles snapped Southwest's eight-game winning streak with a 9-7 victory in game one before dropping game two 8-2, moving to 18-15 overall and 4-4 in conference play.

Game One – Eagles Surge Late for Comeback Win

Southwest jumped out quickly in the opener, using a three-run home run in the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead.

Meridian responded in the second inning when Presley Black delivered an RBI double to cut into the deficit. The Lady Bears added another run in the third to make it 4-2, but the Eagles answered again as Mollie Mitchell tripled and later scored on a single from Charlee Smith, trimming the lead to 4-3.

The game turned in the fifth inning when Meridian erupted for six runs. Mitchell drove in two with a double before Hannah Buckley followed with an RBI double. Raegan King added another RBI double, and additional runs crossed on singles from Montgomery Boleware and Black to give the Eagles a 9-4 advantage.

Southwest attempted a late comeback in the sixth, but Meridian held on as Hannah Capello closed the door in the seventh to secure the 9-7 win.

In the circle, Willa Simmons started for the Eagles, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing four runs (one earned) on nine hits while striking out three. Capello earned the win in relief, tossing the final innings while allowing three runs and striking out four.

Meridian finished with 11 hits and eight RBIs, led by Black with two hits and three RBIs, while Mitchell added two hits and two RBIs.

Game Two – Southwest Responds

Game two proved more challenging for the Eagles as Southwest controlled the contest en route to an 8-2 victory.

Isabella White got the start for Meridian, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing four runs. Chelsea Regan followed with two innings of work, and Capello closed out the final 2.1 innings.

Offensively, Meridian managed six hits, with its only runs coming in the fourth inning off RBI singles from Smith and Allie Loftin.

Head Coach Brad Grinstead was pleased with his team's effort in the opener and emphasized the importance of competing in a tough conference.

"The MACCC is as tough as any conference in college softball," Grinstead said. "It was big for us to come back and win game one, and getting a split is important as we move forward in conference play."

Following a strong homestand, the Eagles will hit the road Saturday for a MACCC doubleheader against Northwest in Senatobia. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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