WESSON – As spring break vacations go, the Kishwaukee (Ill.)Kougars have made southwest Mississippi a baseball paradise. Thenationally-ranked visitors from Malta, Ill., flexed their musclesMonday afternoon at sunny Sullivan Field by collecting a pair of4-1 decisions over the host Copiah-Lincoln Wolves.

“This is by far one of the best teams we’re going to face thisseason.” said Co-Lin field general Keith Case. “They have a verystrong group of athletes from top to bottom.”

The Kougars (5-0) are currently ranked third in the NJCAADivision One Baseball rankings. Under the direction of head coachMike Davenport they carry 10 drafted players from the 2002 MLBDraft on their 28-man roster.

Despite all the hype and talent, the Kougars met an upstartCo-Lin team for their annual Spring Break meeting. The Kougarstraditionally begin their season in Mississippi playing teams suchas Co-Lin, Southwest, Hinds, and Meridian, before retreating backnorth.

“We like playing down here because the weather is much warmerthan it is where we’re at.” said Davenport. “It also gives us achance to play some very good teams in this region.”

Davenport’s Kougars used a solid defense and a run by committeeoffense to set the tone in the first game with the Wolves. TheKougars and Wolves fought to a 1-1 tie, before Kishwaukee finallybroke the game open with a four hit, three run sixth for the finalmargin of victory. The Wolves were held to two hits in thecontest.

“In the first game we hung with them, until they broke it openin the top of the sixth.” added Case. “Their pitcher (BrettKingdom) and their defense did a great job.”

Kingdom was awarded the win by allowing two hits and one earnedrun in seven innings of action. He had one strikeout and onewalk.

Absorbing the loss for the Wolves, was Loyd Star native CassBrister. The freshman hurler allowed four runs on four hits, in 5and 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked two. Brister wasmaking his first appearance for the Wolves since having kneesurgery last month.

At the plate, the Wolves’ lone hits came from sophomore catcherChase Coley and freshman shortstop Aaron Guillot.

For the Kougars, outfielder Brain Toner led all batters with adouble and a single.

In game two, the Kougars jumped out to alightning quick 2-0 lead before Co-Lin sophomore pitcher KendallPoole quieted the Kougar attack with strikeouts and popups. Pooleallowed four hits and three earned runs in six innings of work. Hefinished with four strikeouts and three walks on the mound.

“Kendall pitched a good game,” said Case. “We got the sameamount of hits as they did. We just didn’t get the breaks they gotwhen it came to putting runs on the board.”

Co-Lin plated their only run in the fifth off a Kougar error,that sent Co-Lin second baseman Cayce Wallace home. Wallace reachedbase on a triple.

“We’re going in the right direction.” added Case about histeam’s improved play. “With each game we’re improving and gettingbetter. We’re right there at the door step, we’ve just got to finda way to knock it down.”

Case’s Wolves were led by freshman rightfielder JeffreyWaycaster with two singles in the loss. Coley added a double, whileGulliot singled.

For the Kougars, Paul Moviel led the Kishwaukee attack with adouble and a solo home run.

On the mound, Kougar sophomore Mike Benacka gained the win withsix strikeouts and two walks. Benacka went the distance allowingfive hits.

Poole suffered the loss for the Wolves. His worksheet felled to0-2 on the season.

Co-Lin played the Kougars today for a nine inning contest atnoon. They resume play Thursday with a 4:00 doubleheader withMissouri visitors Spoon River.