WESSON — The Co-Lin Wolfpack made a final tuneup beforestarting the South Division baseball race. They defeated twoout-of-state visitors, beating Rochester Tech (Minn.) 15-4 in 5innings and clipping Ellsworth (Iowa) 8-7 on Sullivan Field.

Co-Lin (11-9) hosts the Southwest Bears today for theCardiovascular Institute of Mississippi’s Third Annual HeartChallenge. It’s also the first South Divison twinbill of theseason, starting at 4 p.m.

“It was good to get two wins before starting our South Divisionschedule,” said Co-Lin head coach Keith Case. “We played prettywell.”

Co-Lin 15, Rochester 4

In 5 innings, freshman pitcher Joseph Evans gave up 7 hits, 4run. He walked 2 and fanned 2.

“We swung the bat well and had two big innings,” said Case. “Wegot the barrel on the ball.”

In the second inning, Taebyus Smith was hit by a pitch and Coonefollowed with a homer over the left-center field fence , igniting a7-run explosion.

Shortstop Steven Gauthe’ went 3-for-3 for Co-Lin. Designatedhitter Jarred Rogers, second baseman Jordan Toney and centerfielderMontez Chatman each had 2 hits for the Wolfpack.

Rochester (0-3), on a spring break tour, lost twice to HolmesCommunity College Saturday at Goodman.

Co-Lin 8, Ellsworth 7

Co-Lin authored a 2-run, 2-out rally in the bottom of the sixth.Montez Chapman walked and stole second base. Gauthe doubled homeChatman. Timmy Foster followed with an RBI double off pitcher JohnSantiago, chasing home Gauthe for an 8-6 lead.

“Ellsworth swung the bats very well,” said Case. “They are astrong team.”

With 2 runners on base in the seventh, relief pitcher MartyBallard struck out David Hulsebus for the second out of the inning.Kasey Reyes hit a long fly ball that Taebyus Smith hauled inagainst the right field fence.

Avery Mathes pitched the victory, replacing starter TrentHartzog in the sixth. Mathes gave up a 2-run double and faced 2batters.

Hartzog gave up 6 runs on 6 hits. He struck out 2 and walked2.

The Wolves got doubles from Gauthe’, Coone, Smith andFoster.

Third baseman Matt Stice had 2 hits and 4 RBI for Ellsworth’sPanthers (3-3).