Quinn Stokes blasted a three-run homer and Andre Yates added a two-run shot to lead East Central Community College to an 11-1 thumping over Kishwaukee Community College Monday afternoon at Clark/Gay Baseball Complex in Decatur.

The Diamond Warriors followed that victory with a 12-9 decision over Tyler (Texas) Community College and improved to 14-4 under fourth-year head coach Neal Holliman. 

Stokes, a sophomore outfielder from Carthage, also belted a single and finished with three RBIs. Yates, a sophomore third-baseman and product of Grenada High School, also collected two singles and knocked in a pair of runs.

Vincent Kortbawi of Moundville, Ala., was also credited with multiple hits, as he collected a double and single. Kortbawi is a product of Hale County (Ala.) High School.

Other sluggers were Donnie Tabb of Neshoba Central, double; and Charles Hill of Carthage and Ernie Triplett of Louisville, singles each. Triplett was also credited with two RBIs, and Tabb and Hill knocked in a run each. Richie Long of Carthage had two RBIs.

Right-hander Allen Johnson of Lena was the winning pitcher. Johnson went the distance in the five-inning contest, allowing one run on four hits. He also fanned five batters.

In the win over Tyler, freshman Blake Lawson went four-for-four at the plate to lead the offense. Lawson, an infielder from Biloxi, slammed a double and three singles and was credited with two RBIs. Long also had a productive outing and belted three singles with two RBIs.

Also recording multiple hits were Tabb, Kortbawi and Ricardo Velez, from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, who had two singles each. Hill contributed a double and led in RBIs with three. Other sluggers were Yates and Stokes, who each singled.

Right-hander Tyler Dalton (2-0) of Louisville got the win. Dalton, a product of Winston Academy, allowed one run on two hits through six innings. He also fanned two batters and walked one. Starter Pervis Mann, a southpaw from Carthage, hurled two innings, allowing five runs on five hits. He also walked four batters. Lefty Austin Buchanan pitched the final inning, allowing three runs on three hits in the top of the ninth. He also walked two batters.

East Central’s doubleheader with Kaskaskia (Illinois) Community College scheduled today (Wednesday, March 10) has been cancelled due to the weather.

The Diamond Warriors host Hibbing (MN) Community College Saturday, March 13, in doubleheader action beginning at 1 p.m. at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex.