East Central Community College’s baseball team split a doubleheader with Itawamba Community College in a non-division matchup held Friday on the Fulton campus.

The Diamond Warriors (12-4) were edged 3-2 in the opener and rallied for a 6-1 victory in the second contest.

East Central fell behind 2-0 in the first inning of the opener and closed the gap to 3-2 in the fifth but could get no closer and the host Indians held on for the narrow victory.

Blake Lawson, a freshman shortstop from Biloxi, was the only Diamond Warrior with multiple hits as he managed a double and a single. Also credited with hits were Vincent Kortbawi, a product of Hale County High School in Moundville, Ala., double; and Donnie Tabb of Neshoba Central, and Charles Hill and Richie Long, both of Carthage, singles each.

Right-hander Barry Meeks of Sweetwater, Ala., took the loss on the mound, allowing three runs on seven hits through six innings. He also fanned three batters. Meeks is a product of Patrician (Ala.) Academy. 

In the second game, the Diamond Warriors snapped an early 1-1 tie by scoring two runs in the fifth and three runs in the seventh to claim the win.

Hill belted a double and single and Andre Yates of Grenada had two singles to lead the EC offense. Other sluggers were Jerrod Myers of Jackson St. Andrews, double; Tabb, Lawson and Quinn Stokes of Carthage, singles each.   

Freshman southpaw Colton Mitchell of Lake got the win and improved to 3-0 on the season. Mitchell hurled six scoreless innings, allowing five hits. He also fanned six batters and walked three.

The Diamond Warriors play twice today (Monday, March 8) at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex. The first challenge is a seven-inning contest with Kishwaukee (Illinois) Community College and will be followed by a nine-inning battle with Tyler (Texas) Community College. 

In other games this week, East Central hosts Kaskaski (Illinois) Community College at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in two seven-inning matchups, and entertains Hibbing (Minnesota) Community College at 1 p.m. Saturday. The opener is a nine-inning contest and will be followed by a seven-inning affair.