Johndavid Birdsong’s single to left field scored pinch runner Eiland Cleckler to lift the Mississippi University for Women baseball team to a 5-4 victory against Crowley’s Ridge College at Columbus High School.
The W (2-3) completed the doubleheader sweep with an 11-1 victory in the nightcap.
“I am really proud of the way our guys played today,” The W coach Matt Wolfenbarger said. “We learned our lesson about staying away from big innings in Texas and how doing that allows us to stay in ballgames. (Our) pitching was really good. All three guys (Drew, David, and Nick) did well. I was really pleased with our bats and the way we responded when things got tough. (It) feels good to win and play well at home.”
Drew Williams (1-1) pitched a complete-game five-hitter in the opening game. He allowed three earned runs. Williams walked one and struck out four.
In Game 1, Birdsong and Lukas Murphy had two hits in the eight-hit attack. Will Peters had a double, while former Oak Hill Academy standout Heath Ford added a single. Leon Petite and Jackson Norris-Jones also had hits.
In Game 2, Peters went 4-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the 17-hit attack. RJ Cox was 3-for-3 (triple) with two runs scored and an RBI. Damain Benefield was 3-for-3 (double) with an RBI. Ford had an hit and an RBI. Prince Tolbert also had a triple.
The Owls broke the game open with a seven-run fifth
inning.
David Standifer started and went the first 3 2/3 innings. He allowed four hits and an unearned run. He walked four and struck out two. Former Starkville High standout Nick Brooks pitched the final 3 1/3 innings for the win. He didn’t allow a hit and walked two and struck out four.
The teams will wrap up the three-game series at noon today at Columbus High.
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