WESSON — Entering the Easter weekend, Coach Allen Kent and hisCo-Lin Lady Wolves have a lot to be thankful for. Blessed with twostrong pitchers from Texas, the Lady Wolves are riding a 12-gamevictory streak after sweeping Gulf Coast Community College 6-2 and14-3 Thursday in a South Division showdown.

In the opener, sophomore Emily Horne of Pearland, Texas tossed a6-hitter, striking out 7 and walking none. In the nightcap,freshman Erin Douglass of Kady, Texas pitched a 7-hitter, fanning 1batter and walking 2.

Co-Lin raised its record to 24-6 overall and 9-1 in the South,with 6 division games remaining. The Lady Wolves have a 3-game leadover their closest challenger. The South Division champion willhost the MACJC State Tournament May 5-7.

Sophomore catcher Megan Bateman of Brookhaven was soaked withsweat and covered with dirt after a hot, dusty day behind homeplate. She caught both games and still managed a smile after thesweep.

“I feel good,” said Bateman. “I could go catch another one. Wehave won some big games this year. These wins put on us on top forhosting state.”

Asked about the Texas duo, Bateman said, “I caught Emily lastyear. She is steadily improving and Erin is coming through for us.She is really helping Emily out.”

Last year, injuries to pitchers forced Horne to pitch everygame. Horne had an ice pack on her left ankle after winning theopener.

“It (ankle twist) happened at Southwest,” Horne explained. “Theyhave a bad field and my foot hit in a hole on the mound.”

Asked about her pitching performance, Horne said, “My riseballand screwball had them swinging. I had good defense behind me,too.”

Kent said he was pleased with his team’s performance. “We got agood effort on the mound from both our pitchers. They were freshand sharp.”

Kent said he sympathized with Gulf Coast which only had onepitcher available in Alicia York due to injuries. “I know it’sdifficult when you only have one pitcher.

“We had some great at-bats today,” Kent continued. “We werepatient at the plate. We seem to be peaking at the right time.”

Kent pointed out that none of his players had struck out in thetwinbill.

Co-Lin 6, Gulf Coast 2

“The Wolves got all the runs they needed in the first inning.Bateman led off with a walk. Annie Selmon hit a push bunt single.and Kady King followed with a suicide squeeze, sending Bateman homewith the first run.

Selmon scored on an error and Horne followed with a 2-out, RBIsingle, making it 3-0.

In the third, Douglass and King hit back-to-back singles. LaurenSmith delivered an RBI single and it was 4-0. King scored on anerror for a 5-0 lead.

Jessica Hart, pinch running for Horne, scored Co-Lin’s sixth runin the fifth on an RBI single by Allyson Wallace.

York gave up 8 hits in the loss. She fanned 3 batters and walked1.

Co-Lin 14, Gulf Coast 3

Observing the 10-run rule, Co-Lin needed only 5 innings to sendGulf Coast packing. Douglass (12-3) gave up 3 runs on 7 hits,walking 2 and fanning 1.

Douglass gave up a 2-run homer to Gulf Coast first baseman TakeaEdwards in the third frame. The clout cleared the right-centerfield fence near the 220 mark and reduced Co-Lin’s lead to 7-3.

In the fifth, Douglass struck out Edwards, using her screwballeffectively.

“I didn’t throw anything high,” said Douglass. “I tried to keepit low. I felt comfortable out there and I’ve been getting better.I like playing for Co-Lin.”

Douglass got plenty of run support as Co-Lin plated 3 runs inthe first inning. Bateman singled up the middle and Selman beat outa bunt. Jackie Stowe slammed an RBI double to right-center field,making it 3-0.

In the third, Co-Lin sent 11 runners to the plate and scored 6runs. Horne hit a 2-RBI single, raising the margin to 14-3. She hadled off the inning with a double. King contributed a 2-RBI singleover the second base bag. Stowe had a 2-run single to left.