FULTON –

Hinds Community College’s players and fans told Co-Lin where togo at the conclusion of the National Anthem on Monday. The Eagleshad lined up along the third base line for the pregame ceremony andthey voiced a loud “Go to hell, Co-Lin.”

Freshman pitcher Derek Atkins sent the Eagles home with a 6-2setback in the championship finals of the NJCAA Region 23 DivisionII Tournament. Atkins (7-2), a righthander from Thibodaux, La.,dominated the Eagles in the 9-inning game. He struck out 3 batters,walked 2 and scattered 4 hits, pitching on just two day’s rest.

The Wolves advance to the double-elimination CentralDistrict/Super Regional Tournament at St. Louis, Mo. Co-Lin (32-24)plays St. Louis Community College at Forest Park on Thursday at 4p.m. At 7 p.m., the winner plays St. Catherine (Ky.) CommunityCollege.

The Wolves won the Super Regional last year at Wesson andadvanced to the Division II World Series at Millington, Tenn.

Co-Lin head coach Keith Case said the Wolves had played fiveregional tournament games and were showing signs of fatigue. TheEagles’ pregame remark served as a jump-start for his team. “Ithink that fired our guys up.

“It was a really good thing to watch our guys step up,” saidCase. “We have had some sophomores step up and we had some freshmenshow a lot of character. They’ve done what it takes to win achampionship. They had fun, too.”

Shortstop Kyle Beall led the Wolves with a 3-for-3 plateperformance. Also hitting safely for Co-Lin were Brandon Atkins,Seth Lofton, David Gray.

Beall finished with 2 RBIs. Matt Lea, Atkins, Lofton and Grayeach had 1 RBI.

The Wolves took a 3-0 lead in the third inning. They ended thegame with a double play in the bottom of the ninth.

Hinds (23-23) got a solo homer from Chris Reed in the sixthinning and a triple from Logan Owens.

“Derek Atkins threw some strikes for us and we played a realgood game on defense,” said Co-Lin pitching coach Pete Young. “Thatallowed us to be aggressive.

“Derek did a real good job keeping his composure and he keptcompeting,” Young added. “He kept going after people.”

Atkins beat Hinds 5-2 in the play-in game two weeks ago to landa berth in the state tournament. He has dominated the Eagles.

@Linescore:CO-LIN 6, HINDS 2

Co-Lin

121

002

000 –

6 7

2

Hinds

001

001

000 –

2

4

5

@Bbstandings: Derek Atkins and David Gray. Nick Johnson, Huff(3) and Josh Sherman. WP: Atkins ((7-2). LP: Johnson (3-3). HR:Chris Reed (H). 3B: Owens (H). 2B: none. Multiple hits: Beall (CL)3.