WESSON – Home run balls fell like rain Saturday in the seventhinning and the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears stageda remarkable comeback against their archrivals. On a rain-soakedafternoon in Sullivan Stadium, the Bears erased a 6-run deficit andshaved the Wolves 14-13 in the Coca-Cola Classic Challenge.

The second game was called in the second inning with the Bears up2-0. They claimed the Challenge trophy, which had resided in theCo-Lin field house for the last two years. They had swept Co-Lin inan earlier twinbill at Summit.

Coach Lee Kurykendall’s Bears raised their record to 25-24 overalland 8-15 in the South Division. Co-Lin finishes 19-30 overall and5-18 in the South.

In the seventh inning, three Co-Lin pitchers gave up six walks,seven runs and four hits, three of them home runs. The Bears got ahomer from shortstop Scott McDaniel and designate hitter KyleWheeler back-to-back homers off Daniel Jenkins. Centerfielder JoshBouldin hit a grand slam. Wheeler’s solo shot off relief pitcherMitch Tidwell sailed over the left field fence and gave the Bears14-13 lead with one out, igniting a Southwest celebration.

“We used three guys and none of them could get those three outs,”said Co-Lin coach Keith Case. “We were pitching not to lose insteadof pitching to win.

“It’s a very disappointing performance,” Case added. “Hats off toSouthwest.”

Seven of the runs the Bears scored during the game were complimentsof bases on balls. “That’s not good baseball,” said Case.

Co-Lin freshman third baseman Bud Britt hit a grand slam homer inthe first inning and the Wolves appeared on their way to aneventual victory. They led 4-2 and increased the margin to 10-2 inthe fourth before the Bears came to life.

Jesse Shows, a freshman outfielder from Brandon, finished with herehits.

McDaniel, a sophomore from Columbia, finished with two homers and adouble.

“We have to go out and get better,” said Case. “We have to refocusand start looking ahead.”

Three Co-Lin sophomores have signed with senior colleges.Pitcher/outfielder Jeff DeBlieux is headed for the University ofSouth Alabama. Kendall Logan and Marshun Hall have signed withJackson State University.