The East Central Community College Diamond Warriors swept National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Lawson State Community College out of Birmingham, Ala., 9-8 and 10-1 on Monday, Feb. 29, in Decatur.
The Diamond Warriors’ overall record improved to 10-4. Lawson State’s record dropped to 7-4.
In the close game-one matchup, ECCC had to overcome an 8-4 Lawson State lead with five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for the 9-8 win.
The comeback was sparked by an RBI double from Matthew Mitchell out of Lake High School, a fielder’s choice from Michael Davis out of Clinton High School, an RBI single by T.J. Lockett out of Bibb County (Ala.) High School, and a two-run single off the bat of Will Kennedy out of Union High School.
Mitchell, Davis and Kennedy had two RBI each in game one.
Right-hander Channing Wall out of Louisville High School got the win in relief for the Warriors. He pitched two innings, allowing no hits and no runs, while striking out four batters.
Game two, on the other hand, was far from a close ballgame.
The Diamond Warriors scored nine runs in the first three innings to secure the victory early. ECCC blasted four home runs in the 10-1 win.
Cole Prestegard out of Huntsville (Ala.) High School had a two-run home run in the first inning and a solo-home run in the third. Mitchell and Zach Parker out of Quitman High School both added solo home runs.
Peyton Cain out of Newton County High School picked up his second win of the season on the mound. Cain had four shutout innings, giving up one hit and striking out four.
East Central’s Diamond Warriors will face Itawamba Community College’s Indians on Saturday, March 5, at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex in Decatur. The doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.
