1999

WEEKOF __ ~r ________ _

Danny Kushiilg, who last year as a freshman walk-on was the winning pitcher in East Central's victory over Gulf Coast for the state title, slapped a three-run homer - his only hit this year- in the sixth inning which deadlocked the score at 5-5. Rushing's blast followed a two-run shot by freshman Patnck Ferriss of Clinton. The Diamond Warriors scored their sixth run in the inning when Jud Sanborn of Noxapater tallied following a double by Newton County product Justin Chaney, and held their 6-5 advantage until the eighth inning. Delgado scored three runs in the eigh th to retake the lead and maintain an 8-6 margin int9 the bottom of the ninth, when the stage was set again for possible heroics by Rushing. But such was not to be as the former Edinburg standout was left m deck when the side was retired with one Warrior - sophomore Brodie Meadows of Brandon- on1)a5e. Rushing {~) took the loss for East Certtral, as he a llowed three runs m b; hits through three and two-thirds innings. He fanneii •o and wa lked none. Chad ..ctounpion of Holt, Alabama, ~ .. as the starting pitCher and .was reli~ ed in the second b-sop!'2more Joey Allen

East Central 15, Gulf Coast The game was called aft seven innings due to the eigh run rule. Allen (5-7) was tt winning pitcher, as he fanru two and walked one throu two and a third in.nma Freshman Allen Buckley J Brandon started oo the rrn..11 and was relieved in the fi!tf Buckley allowed five runs ~ six hits. He fanned five walked tow. Hitters for were Page, home nm, d and single; Webb, home lUl single; Willis and Meadcw. doubles each; and Hard l Chaney and Sanborn, singlf each. Runs were scored by paa (3), Sanborn (3), Webb (2 Hardy, Ferriss, Meadow Martin and Chaney. Delgado 9, East Central 1 Willis (9-5) was the losin pitcher, as he allowed four m three hits in one mning c work. He also fanned ooe walked one. Willis relieved by rushing and Jay - McDonald of Tusca100f County. Rushing allowed foq runs oo eight hits through fi,· innings. He fanned three an4 walked one. McDonald pitchec two-thirds of an innm, allowing one run oo one hit. Hi recorded no strikeouts or walks Sluggers for EC were Chane double and smgle; and Ferr· Webb and Champion, singl each. Chaney scored th1 Diamond Wa."'iors' only n,zn.

Diamond Wa~riors Place Secona in Region 23

of Junction City, .Arkansas. Champion allowed four runs m three hits. He fanned one and walked one. Allen allowed one run m four hits through four innings. He fanned two and walked one. In addition to Rushing, Ferriss and Chaney, other sluggers for East Central were Meadows and Jason Willis of Neshoba Central, three singles each; and Sanborn, two singles. Runs were scored by Josh Hardy of Philadelphia, Ferriss, Linzy Gressett of Carthage, Willis, East Central 7, Northeast 3. Willis (10-5) was the winning pttcher and set a tournament record with 18 strikeouts. The Neshoba Central product also blasted a two-run homer in th e second inning and added an RBI single in the first. Other sluggers were Meadows and Allen, two singles each; Chaney and Brent Page of Neshoba Central, singles each. Runs were scored by Lee Martin (2) of Lake, Page, Ferris, Chaney, Willis and Allen. Rushing and Sanborn. Tournament Summary:

It was almost a ~torybook ending for the East Cenlral Community College Diamond Warriors who emerged from the loser's bracket to compete in the championship game Sunday afternoon of the Region 23 Division I Tournament held at Meridian Community College's Scaggs Field. East Gentral, which completed season action with a 28-27 mark, fell 8-6 to Delgado (32-17) for the region title. But the Diamond Warriors, who advanced to the championship series by outscoring Northeast 7-3 en- =saturday and shellacking GUlf Coast 13-5 m Friday night, were not the easy victim the Louisiana team experienced after claiming a 9- 1 victory in first-round action. Although East Central would have had to beat the Dolphins twice on Sunday to win its first region title (Delgado was undefeated in the double– elimination tourney), for awhile it looked as if the Diamond Warriors would have that opportunity, thanks to an ~ly h-=o. __

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