A Doubleheader Sweep for Baseball
Marion, AL. - The Marion Military Institute baseball team earned a sweep against Coahoma Community College Friday afternoon. MMI defeated the Tigers from Coahoma 7-1 and 6-2.
Game One - Freshman Conner Bell got the start for the home squad in game one of the Friday afternoon doubleheader, striking out two batters in the first inning. Sophomore Jonah Todd, Marion's leadoff hitter, reached on an error and was advanced to third on a single off the bat of sophomore Jackson Cofer. Sophomore Carson McGregory reached on an error, and scored Todd for the first run of the game.
Justin Bisharat scored Marion's second run in the next inning after Bell once again shutdown the visiting hitters. Bisharat reached on an infield error and moved to third on back-to-back passed balls. Mason Gilliland grounded out to second base, scoring Bisharat. The third inning saw the MMI Tigers score twice more. Zachary Neumann singled to lead off the inning; he was followed by a single from Cofer. McGregory walked to load the bases for Logan Taylor. Taylor reached on a fielder's choice and scored Neumann. Cofer later scored on a passed ball.
Coahoma scored their lone run in the fifth inning. Marion responded back in the bottom half of the inning when Neumann tripled to center field. Cofer followed with a double of his own, scoring Neumann. McGregory moved Cofer to third and Taylor brought him in across the plate to give the home squad a 7-1 lead.
Sophomore J.P. Ratliff pitched the final inning for MMI. After walking the first two batters, his defense helped him out and turned a 6-4-3 double play to stop Coahoma's rally. He got the last batter to fly out to Neumann at second base.
Game Two - Sophomore Blaine Milam earned a win from the mound in game two of the afternoon doubleheader. The visiting Tigers scored first after scoring on an infield error. Marion tied the game in the third inning. Chase Hamrick walked and Jonah Todd reached on an error. Both runners advanced on a passed ball. Jackson Cofer hit into a fielder's choice that scored Hamrick.
Coahoma would answer right back to score another run off two hits. The home squad took their final lead in the fifth inning. Hamrick walked and was sacrificed to second base by Todd. Zachary Neumann reached on an error which moved Hamrick to third. Carson McGregory singled to left field, and scored Hamrick. Cole Lepchitz singled in the next at-bat which scored Neumann and Marion's third run.
The Tigers plated three more runs in the sixth inning to give them the 6-2 victory. Mason Gilliland singled and was sacrificed to second base by Garrett Brewer. He later advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jonah Todd doubled to score Gilliland. Neumann walked. Jackson Cofer tripled to deep center field to score Todd and Neumann.
Marion will travel to Monroeville, Alabama Tuesday for a doubleheader against Alabama Southern Community College. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.