WESSON — Co-Lin pitcher Brandt Hinton tossed a 5-hitter inWednesday’s opener and he got plenty of support from his teammates.The Wolfpack exploded for 16 hits in an 8-1 victory over theSouthwest Miss. Community College Bears.

Southwest regrouped and rallied past Co-Lin 8-6 in the 8-inningnightcap, gaining a South Division split in the CardiovascularInstitute of Mississippi’s Heart Challenge. The archrivals wound upsplitting the season series 2-2. Co-Lin outscored Southwest 24-19in the 4-game series and received a bat trophy last night.

Co-Lin (19-19, 5-7) hosts Jones County Junior College Saturdayfor a South Division twinbill, starting at 1 p.m. Southwest (19-19,5-7) hosts Pearl River Saturday. Pearl River fell to 4-6 in theSouth after being swept Thursday by Gulf Coast.

Co-Lin 8, Southwest 1

Hinton, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound right-hander from Brookhaven, keptthe Bears in check. Southwest’s only run came in the top of thesixth when Neilsen Chao produced an RBI single, making it 4-1.

“Brandt comes out and gives you a chance to win,” said Co-Lincoach Keith Case. “He’s a groundball type pitcher and gets somestrikeouts, too. Our infield played well behind him.”

Hinton fanned 5 batters and walked none. Losing pitcher JerrodKeene went 4.1 innings, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits, walking 0 andfanning 3.

“It was a much-needed win,” said Hinton. “It helps us in theplayoffs. I felt good out there because everybody played realwell.”

Co-Lin and Southwest are chasing Pearl River in a battle forsecond place. Gulf Coast leads the South Division race.

The Wolves got a solo home run from freshman Paul Davis in thesecond inning. They plated 4 runs in the bottom of the sixth whichwas highlighted by Southwest coach Butch Holmes being ejected whenhe vehemently disputed a close call at first base.

Co-Lin’s Montez Chatman led off the sixth with a popup buntsingle which just eluded the Southwest catcher Drew Miller who dovefor the ball. Shortstop Steven Gauthe followed with a bunt singlewhich led to the ejection of Holmes. Gauthe went 4-for-4

Jordan Toney’s sacrifice bunt advanced both runners. TimmyFoster followed with a 2-RBI triple off the right-center fieldfence, making it 6-1. Ryan Hoben tacked on an RBI single. BrandonChretien lashed a hard hopper which glanced off the face Chao atsecond base, allowing another run to score.

Chretien, working at first base, collected 3 hits in thewin.

Southwest 8, Co-Lin 6

“We left nine runners on base,” said Case. “Those four errorswere very costly, too.”

In the bottom of seventh, Co-Lin’s Davis led off with a tripledown the right field line. He scored on Brandon Chretien’s infieldgrounder to gain a 6-6 deadlock. Davis hit a solo homer in thefifth.

The Bears scored twice in the eighth. Blake McKee of Brookhaven(Enterprise) drew a leadoff walk from relief pitcher Ryan Hoben.McKee stole second base with 1 out. Richie Fields followed with asingle and went to second on a throw to home plate as McKee scored.With 2 outs, Neilsen Choa’s single scored Fields for an 8-6lead.

“Give Southwest credit,” said Case. “They were down 4-0 but theykept battling. You have to pitch well and play defense in thesegames. Both teams played well.”

Foster started on the mound and six innings. He gave up 7 hitsand 4 runs. He fanned 2 and walked 2.

In 2 innings of relief, Hoben gave up 5 hits, 4 runs. He fanned3 and walked 1.

Choa, a sophomore from Baton Rouge, got the win in relief ofsubmariner Coty Saranthus. Choa gave up 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk andfanned 3.