DUBOIS, Pa. — The Mississippi University of Women baseball team made history in dramatic fashion Monday.
In its first postseason appearance in its inaugural season, No. 8 seed The W rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat No. 9 seed Florida National University 10-9 in its first game at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Small College World Series at Showers Field.
The W (20-14) wasn’t as fortunate in its second game, falling to No. 1 seed University of Cincinnati-Clermont 10-1.
The W will play the winner of the game between Florida National and Bluefield State College at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Trailing 2-1, the Owls scored in the top of the fourth when RJ Cox’s single scored Damain Benefield. But the Cougars (23-14) answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, four more runs in the fifth, and three more in the sixth.
AJ Sweatland (5-3) and Jordan Ritter combined on a five-hitter for Cincinnati-Clermont.
David Standifer (2-4) allowed six runs (four earned) on six hits in four innings. He walked three and struck out three. Austin Sparks allowed four runs and four hits in the final two innings.
Leon “Trey” Petite had two hits for the Owls.
In the opener, former Starkville High School standout Nicholas Brooks, who also homered in the game, doubled to score Benefield with the tying run in the seventh. Former Heritage Academy standout Brandon Jones scored the winning run on an error by the third baseman.
Peters, Benefield, and Brooks had two hits and two RBIs, while Peters and Lukas Murphy led the team with two runs each. Jones and former Oak Hill Academy standout Heath Ford scored runs.
“I wouldn’t trade any of these guys for anyone,” The W coach Matt Wolfenbarger said. “They were in the game the whole time, from those on the bench to those on the field. They did exactly what I asked them to do: play hard, be loud, and don’t get down. Show the world you deserve to be here and represent the university the best way possible. These guys continue to surprise me. Just when I’ve think I’ve seen it all with this group, they do something that amazes me. Great job today and great win.”
The W took a 3-0 lead on a double by Benfield that scored Peters. Brooks hit his first home run and Murphy scored on an error to add to the lead.
The Conquistadors (12-30) scored one run in the third and added six in the fourth before the Owls rallied.
Drew Williams allowed 11 hits and seven runs (four earned) in four innings. He walked none and struck out three. Eiland Cleckler (2-1) allowed three hits and two runs (one earned) in three innings. He walked none and struck out three.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 44 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.