WESSON — The Co-Lin Wolves dropped a key South Divisionbaseball doubleheader Friday afternoon to the Pearl River CommunityCollege Wildcats at Sullivan Field.

In the opener, Pearl River rallied to tie the first game with athree-run homer in the seventh inning. The Wildcats scored two runsin the eighth to win the opener 6-4.

The Wildcats broke a 5-all tie with the Wolves by scoring tworuns in the final inning for a 7-5 victory in the finale.

“(Ryan) Belanger pitched well in the first game,” said Co-Linhead baseball coach Keith Case. “We had our chances in both games.Overall, it hurts not to have the outcome we wanted.”

Pearl River, which is ranked seventh in the NJCAA preseasonDivision II poll, improved its record to 25-4 on the season. TheWildcats have won 25 straight games.

Co-Lin drops to 18-11 with the losses. The Wolves host GulfCoast at 4 p.m. Wednesday and visit Summit Saturday for face rivalSouthwest, beginning at 1 p.m. Pearl River entertains HarperCollege (Ill.) Thursday.

Craig Rodriguez, who picked up both wins against Copiah-Lincolnin relief, is a sophomore from Sugar Land, Tex. Rodriguez (6-0) hassigned with Ole Miss. He worked the final two innings in the openerwith 2 strikeouts and finished the second game with four strikeoutsand two walks in two innings.

Co-Lin centerfielder Josh Logan left the first game due todehydration and didn’t return to the second contest. Logan had tobe given an IV in the emergency room to restore his fluids.

At the end of the second game with two outs, Justin Sykes ofBrookhaven sustained a lower knee injury when he tripped over abase.

Pearl River 6, Co-Lin 4

Brent Varnado was the Wildcats starter for 2 1/3 innings withtwo strikeouts. Josh Troxclair took over in the third and finishedwith one strikeout, one walk and one hit allowed.

Belanger (4-3) went the distance, finishing with fivestrikeouts, two walks and two hit batters.

Co-Lin catcher Matthew Schexnayder led with a home run. JustinSykes, Te Riley, Patrick Williams, Josh Logan singled.

Richard Imhoff paced the Wildcats with a homer and a single.J.P. Moreaux tripled and singled. Jordan Rogers hit a double and asingle. Keith Winstead, Grant Hogue and Martin Roark hitsafely.

Pearl River 7, Co-Lin 5

Starting for Pearl River in the final game was Corey Bass whowent 4 1/3 innings with three strikeouts, one walk and one hitbatter. Jacob Smith worked for 2/3 innings.

Absorbing the loss was freshman Scotty Smith (4-2) who workedthe fifth inning with one strikeout. Derek Thompson started andfanned three batters and walked two. Joseph Langham worked thethird inning with two strikeouts, one walk and one hit batter. Hewas followed by Lance Deville in the fifth, fanning one and walkingfour.

Garrett Jones powered the Wolves with a triple and a pair ofdoubles. Xavier Qualls homered and singled. Collecting a singlewere Sykes, Te Riley and Patrick Williams.

Directing Pearl River with a homer and a singled was BaileyHartel. Ryne Lovdahl homered. Richard Imhogg and Keith Winsteaddoubled. Chris Stewart, Martin Roark Grant Hogue singled.