RAYMOND – Close only counts in the game of horseshoes.

     The Co-Lin Wolfpack squandered a 2-run lead in Wednesday’s nightcap, allowing the Hinds Community College Eagles to salvage a 5-4 win. Hinds won the South Division opener 9-4.

     “We had some frustrating losses,” said Co-Lin coach Keith Case. “We have to get ready for Gulf Coast on Saturday.”

     The South Division twinbill starts at 2 p.m. in Co-Lin’s Sullivan Stadium.

     Co-Lin stands at 18-16-1 overall and 4-12 in the South Division.  Hinds improved to 26-8 and 10-5 in the South.

 

Hinds 5, Co-Lin 4

     In the bottom of the seventh, leadoff batter Tyler Akins drew a walk from Co-Lin relief pitcher Stephen Joe. The next two batters, Caleb Baucum and Beau Wallace, beat out  bunts to load the bases with no outs. Akins raced home on a wild pitch and scored the decisive run.

     “Hinds scored the winning run and the ball never left the infield,” said Case. “We were up 4-2 with six outs got go and we couldn’t keep the lead.”

     Catcher Justin Smith hit a 2-run homer in the fourth off Co-Lin relief pitcher Josh Wages.

     Two hits apiece by Noel Santos and Mitch Little carried Co-Lin.

 

Hinds 9, Co-Lin 4

      Tyler Akins moved from first base to the mound and picked up the win in relief of starter Andrew Gunn who went 5 innings. Akins went 2 innings and allowed 1 run and 3 hits.

     Gunn (3K, 1BB) gave up 3 runs and 7 hits.

     The Eagles broke a scoreless duel with 1 run in the fourth. Akins hit a solo homer off  Co-Lin starter Ryan Goddard.

     Raymond Winter (1 K, 1BB) gave up 4 runs on 3 hits in taking the loss. Goddard (1K, 1BB) started and went 3.2 innings. He allowed 1 hit and 1 run.

     Shortstop Daniel Gilbert hit a 2-run homer off Tyler Copeland in the sixth.

     Doubles by Jonathan Santana and Matt Smith were Co-Lin’s extra-base hits. Willie Buckley, Zach Ferguson and Smith had 2 hits apiece.

     “We were in the ballgame until the fifth but then we gave up a three spot and five spot,” said Coach Case. “We didn’t get the key hits or the key pitches when we needed them.”

     The Eagles plated 8 runs in their final 2 frames.