EMCC concludes softball season with run-rule home losses to No. 3 Jones
East Mississippi Community College closed out its 2019 softball season by dropping a pair of run-rule decisions, 17-2 and 15-2, to third-ranked Jones College during Friday’s MACJC conference action played at the EMCC Softball Field.
SCOOBA – East Mississippi Community College closed out its 2019 softball season by dropping a pair of run-rule decisions, 17-2 and 15-2, to third-ranked Jones College during Friday's MACJC conference action played at the EMCC Softball Field.
The Lady Lions grabbed the early lead in the opening game before the reigning NJCAA Division II softball champions exploded for a dozen runs during a lengthy sixth inning that was postponed midway through due to an extended weather delay. After Jones plated a run in the first inning off starting pitcher Britney Bonney, EMCC moved ahead in the bottom half of the frame on Madelyn Wilkes' two-out, two-run double off Jones pitching ace Hallie Donald.
The Lady Bobcats reclaimed the lead for good with two runs in both the third and fifth innings. On her way to a 4-for-4 outing with eight RBIs in the opener, McKennah Sikes had a two-run single in the third followed by a two-run homer two frames later that increased JC's lead to 5-2.
Jones lengthened the lead to double figures (12-2) in the top of the sixth before steady rain began to pelt the Scooba campus. Following the rain and subsequent field maintenance, the 4 p.m. contest restarted at 8 p.m. The visitors added five more runs in the frame upon resumption of the contest to account for the 17-2 final.
The Lady Bobcat bats stayed hot during the nightcap beginning with three runs in the first inning. Raylen Blackwell's two-out, two-run single off EMCC starting pitcher Hadlee Lewis capped Jones' opening frame.
Following a five-run fourth inning, highlighted by LP Trammell's two-run triple, that increased the lead to 8-0, Jones' standout shortstop then keyed a seven-run fifth frame for the visitors with a two-run blast deep over the left-center field wall.
The Lady Lions managed to avoid the shutout by reaching Jones reliever Marley Peagler for a pair of RBI doubles by Mackenzie Dolan and Avery Bouchillon in the bottom of the fifth. JC starting pitcher Lauren Stringer limited EMCC to just a pair of singles through the first four innings in the circle.
Following the season-ending doubleheader, East Mississippi recognized sophomore players Blake Bond, Avery Bouchillon, Kiara Conner, Megan Cummins, Kelsey English and Hadlee Lewis.
Coach Austin McNair's EMCC Lady Lions finished the 2019 softball season with a 7-26 overall record and 7-21 conference mark.