Co-Lin splits at Alcorn St.
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, February 16, 2012
LORMAN — The Co-Lin Lady Wolves mounted a3-run, seventh-inning for a 4-2 comeback victory in the Wednesdayopener against NCAADivision 1 Alcorn State University.
Alcorn State’s Lady Braves pitched a 5-0 shutout in the secondgame.
Co-Lin 4, Alcorn State2
Co-Lin took a 1-0 lead in the third as freshman shortstop JosiePorter drew a leadoff walk. Porter stole second and third base,then scored on a fielder’s choice groundout by Karla BethHux. Alcorn answered witha run in the bottom of the third for a 1-1 tie.
The Lady Braves scratched a run in the 5th to take a 2-1 lead intothe seventh. Third basemanKacey Smith led off with a single to center and Kaitlan Melton wasinserted as a pinch runner. With 1 out, pinch-hitter BobbieCochran was hit by a pitch. With 2 out, Porter delivered a clutchRBI single to left for a 2-2 tie.
Then Porter beat out thefielder’s choice play at second on Emily Smith’s grounder to loadthe bases. Freshmancatcher Karla Beth Hux smashed a 2-run single to center for a 4-2lead.
Sophomore pitcher Sarah Anthony raised her record to 3-0, going thedistance. Anthony struckout 2 and walked 5, while scattering 5 hits and allowing 1 earnedrun.
“We played solid defense against a very athletic Alcorn squad,”said Co-Lin coach Allen Kent. “I was very pleased with the way webattled back and scored three runs with 2 out to reclaim thelead.
“Sarah didn’t have her best game, but she hung in there and gave usa chance to win.”
Kacey Smith and Kaitlin Moak each singled twice. Hux’s 3 RBIs anchored the attack.
Alcorn 5, Co-Lin 0
The Lady Wolves only managed 4 hits as Alcorn salvaged a split in a5-0 win. Hux doubled andsingled in the nightcap. Kaitlan Melton and Shelby Mitchell both singled in the loss.
“We had runners on nearly every inning, but just couldn’t get thehits when we needed them,” said Kent.
Alcorn showed discipline at the plate in both games, but found someholes in the second game, collecting 11 hits.
Brooke Delaughter went 2 and 2/3 innings in absorbing theloss. She gave up 5 hits,with no strikeouts and 3 walks, allowing 4 runs.
Delaughter was replaced by Chynna Coghlan who tossed 2 and 1/3innings, allowing 6 hits. She gave up 1 earned run and walked one batter. Sophomore Kacey Smith tossed a1-2-3 sixth inning in her first collegiate appearance on themound.
“We gave a good defensive effort, committing no errors on the day,”added Kent. ” It’s a tough environment, playing overthere. Alcorn always givesus a good battle. They areaggressive on the bases and have a ton of team speed. We were glad to at least come awaywith a split.”
Co-Lin (4-2) resumes play Friday in the Meridian Tournament.