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ECCC Diamond Warriors Sweep Southwest Tennessee to Remain Undefeated
The East Central Community College Diamond Warrior baseball team broke open a one-run game with a six-run bottom of the sixth inning to win the nightcap 13-6 and take the doubleheader sweep over the Southwest Tennessee Community College Saluqis Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex in Decatur.
East Central won the opener 8-5. The Diamond Warriors are now 4-0 on the 2016 season. Southwest Tennessee fell to 1-9.
The Diamond Warriors pushed out to a 7-2 lead in the second game before Southwest Tennessee pulled to within 7-6 with a four-run top of the sixth. East Central would then score six runs in the bottom of the frame to put the game away and secure the 13-6 win.
A two-run single by sophomore third baseman Tyler Ladner out of Pass Christian High School, a two-run triple by freshman designated hitter Billy Cameron out of Mendenhall High School, and RBI singles by sophomore left fielder Jacob Huff out of Puckett High School and freshman catcher Zach Parker out of Quitman High School provided the fire power in the sixth inning.
East Central was also aided by a big third inning when four runs crossed the plate thanks to a solo home run by freshman center fielder Blake Paben out of Madison Central High School, an RBI double by sophomore right fielder Matt Mitchell out of Lake High School, and an RBI single by freshman second baseman Blake Morton out of Madison Central.
Mitchell, Morton, and sophomore right fielder/designated hitter Reagan Warren out of Newton County High School all had two hits in game two.
Freshman left-hander Luke Yancey, a product of East Rankin Academy, picked up the win on the mound with three innings of work.
The Diamond Warriors played errorless ball in game two after committing three errors in the opener.
In game one, the East Central Diamond Warriors scored three runs in the bottom of the third and three more in the bottom of the fifth en route to the 8-5 win. East Central held an 8-1 lead heading into the top of the eighth when Southwest Tennessee closed the game to 8-5 with four runs aided by two walks, two errors, and a balk.
Freshman designated hitter/left fielder Cole Prestegard out of Huntsville (Ala.) High School and sophomore catcher Michael Davis out of Clinton High School each had two RBI for the Diamond Warriors. Prestegard, Davis, Warren, and sophomore second baseman Will Kennedy, a product of Union High School, all had two hits.
Sophomore right-hander Braden Peterson out of Fort Myers, Fla., picked up the win for East Central.
The Warriors will travel to Louisiana on Tuesday, Feb.16, for a doubleheader against Baton Rouge Community College, before returning home to host the EC Invitational in Decatur Friday through Sunday, Feb. 19-21.
