2004

LAKE MESSENGER ________________

CARTHAGINIAN --------

SCOTT COUNTY TIMES __________

NESHOBA DEMOCRAT 7

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NEWTONRECORD_V~------- MERIDIAN STAR ________

UNION APPEAL ...!:v::::::._"'______________

WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL ____

SPIRIT OF MORTON-------- IMPACT ____________________

CLARION-LEDGER---------

Baseball player's 0 Fortenberry

"I t all went well," Fortenber– ry's moth– er, Dawn , said of the Thu rsday operation. " T h e reconstruc– tion looks

standout pitcher at Carthage High School, underwent suc– cessful sur gery to remove his right eye and to reconstruct the side of his face with titani– um plates on Thursday, less than a week after being hit in the face with a batted ball. He is the son of Dawn and The injuries occurred dur– ing an intrasquad game at ECCC following the team's sec– ond week of spring practice on ~riday, Jan. 23. Roddie Fortenberry of Carthage.

vows to return to ECCC next season Before having even fully recovered from the pain of six– and-a-half hours worth of sur– gery, East Central Community College freshman baseball player John Fortenberry has vowed to return to the dia– mond in 2005. Fortenberry, a former

r e a l 1 y t&AJL.IL.&.&.ILIL:E:::::~.!..-J good." FORTENBERRY Dawn said her son was out– fitted with a prosthetic eye during the operation as well

eye removed

head and eye he can play." While the past two weeks have been trying, John's moth– er expressed thanks for all who have shown concern and offered prayers during the ordeal. John's teammates at ECCC and the coaching staff have offered much support, she said. "The coaches and his team– mates have been behind him 150 percent," she said, adding

and he will soon visit an "~ye a rtist" in Jackson who Will exactly match it with the color of his left eye. Doctors previously enlight– ened John about the steps he will have to take to adjust to sight with only one eye, Dawn ~aid, but he is already looking toward a return to the ECCC playing field. "The doctors and his coach– es have talked to him and he said, 'I will play again."' Dawn said. "The doctors said as long as he had protection on his

APPE~

>-See Fortenberry on lOA

t;AK !'HAGINIAN ------------------ NESHOBA DEMOCRAT ----------- NEWTON RECORD ---------------- MERIDIAN STAR _ ______

LAKE MESSENGEK -------– SCOTT COUNTY TIMES------– UNION APPEAL --------- WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL ____ SPIRIT OF MORTON-------- IMPACT ____________

CLARION-LEDGER _ ______

>- Fortenberry--fr_om_ 7 A

that head coach Jake Yarbor– ough special ordered caps with John's No. 29 embroidered on them for the.team to wear this season. "We will miss him this sea– son," Yarborough said, "but the most important thing is his health and well being." John is scheduled to return to his doctor today (Thursday) to have his stitches removed

and he sh ould not have to undergo any further operation, according to his mother. Fortenberry was one of four pitchers vying for four spots in the Warriors' starting pitching rotation this spring. He will be be given a med– ical redshirt for the upcoming season and will retain two sea– son's of eligibility at ECCC.

... ....u1 U U1 J' • , - ~

0

ECCC Diamond Warriors

When baseball season gets undeiWay February 12 for the East Central Community College Diamond Warriors, players will have more than scoring runs and winning games on their minds. Team members will also direct their thoughts toward John Fortenberry, a freshman p1tcher from Carthage, who sustained a season-ending mjury during an intra-squad scrim– mage on January 23. Fortenberry was hit in the face by a line drive, crushing the ride side of his face. He undeiWent several hours of surgery at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson following the incident, but efforts to save his nght eye were not successful. Another surgery was per– formed January 29, during which time doctors removed his eye and reconstructed the right side of his face. Fortenberry is expected to receive an artificial eye sometime in March. Diamond Warrior head Jake Yarborough said players will display Fortenberry's # 29 on their caps throughout the 2004 campaign in tribute to their fallen teammate. Yarborough said Fortenberry. a 6-3, 211 -pound light– bander and fo1mer standout at Carthage High School, was among freshman hurlers competing for the starting rotation. He was also expected to see playing time in the outfield. Yarborough also said Fortenberry's accident has been "devastating to our whole baseball team." "Our hearts and prayers go out to John and his family," Yarborough said, "and we hope for a quick recovery. John is a very athlet– ic young man and one of our top freshmen. We will miss him this sea-

son but the most important thing ts his health and well being.·· Fortenberry is the son of Dawn and Cookie Fortenbell} of Carthage. Yarborough, no\\ m hi~ third year as ECCC head coach. led the Diamond Warriors to a 21-21 mark last season. They were one game away from makmg the 'tate playoffs, a goal Yarborough C:\IX"Ct.:; his team to reach this year. "We have several returnen from last year, including stx starters in the field and two pnchef'- Our sophomores know hO\\ tough our schedule is and we expect them to give us leadershtp... Yarborough said. Regarding the team strengths. Yarborough made the fol– lowing observation: "I think our team has a strong work ethic and a love for the game. We should be more athlenc this year. Our outfielders have good speed with arm strength. \\'e are fun. damental in the infield. Our catchers are tough behind the plate Our pitching staff consists of s1:.. sopho– mores and seven freshmen. Our ke> to success lies ,,;th defense and pitching." Top offens1ve returnees and their respective battmg averages from 2003 include Drew Kenna of Forest, .392; Dexter Sellers of Bastrop, La., .320; and Michael Dunn of Pascagoula, who hit .287 with six home runs and 30 RBls. Destin Moore ofKosciusko collect– ed 24 RBis. (Kenna, team co-cap– tain with pitcher Jim Tally, sustained a broken left arm during practice on January 29 and will be out of action for approximately eight weeks.) Tally, a product of Mooreville High School in Saltillo, leads returning pitchers with a 6-2 record. Tally and fellow sophomores Brent McMillan

of ewton and Hunter Holley of Philadelphia are competing for the starting rotation on the mound. Regarding top freshmen, Yarborough said Jonathan Booker (Philadelphia) and Lucas Poole (~e\\ton) "are also competing for the starting rotation," and Marcus Davis (Magee) has been "very Impressive swinging the bat." He added Mario Thomas (Forest) and Brandon Ezell (Newton County) should see "a lot ofplaying time" in the middle infield. Yarborough said his team lS ready to begin the ''real" season, ~pecially after completing a suc– ce ·sful fall campaign. ·we finished 5-2-1 in the fall. and several players posted out– standing stats. Michael Dunn bit .457 ,.,;th two home runs and seven doubles; Jacob Townsend (Neshoba Central) hit .441 with one home run and seven doubles; Brian McNeil (Enterprise) hit .421; and MarctiS Davis (Magee) had four home runs. JLm Talley pitched 20 irutings With 19 strikeouts and no walks, and Jonathan Sigrest (Scott Central) was on the mound for 13 innings, strik– ing out 13 batters and allowmg just four walks. Our team also worked very hard in the weight room and on conditioning. We are now a much stronger team mentally and physi– cally." Serving his second year as an assistant to Coach Yarborough is Reggie Richardson. The Diamond Warriors open up with Northeast Mississippi Community College at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 12 in Booneville, and begin home action at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 14 against Jones County Junior College. Both games arc double– headers. ..;

CRAT - ----- NEWTON RECORD-------- MERIDIAN STAR CLARION-LEDGER -------

. -···-- ---------- UNION APPEAL - - - --- - -- WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL _ ___ SPIRIT OF MORTON --'-------- IMPACT _____________ _ _ __

dedicate season to fallen player

John Fortenberry John lost his right eye in an inrramu-

Jake Yarbrough is the head coach ofthe ral game recently. The Diamond Warrior hGl.e East Central Community College Diamond dedicated the :season to him. (EC photo) Warrior:s.(EC photo)

ECCCbaseball team to honor Fortenberry

baseball team."

When baseball sea.;;on gets unden-. ay I cbruary 12 for the East Central Com– munity Coll~gc Di.1mond Warriors, players will h,we more than scoring runs and winning g,Hncs on thetr minds. Team members will also direct their thoughts to,,vard John rortenberrv, a freshman pitcher from C~rthage, who sustained a season-ending injury during an intrasquad <>crimmage on January 23. Fortenberry was hit in the face bv a line drh e, cruc.hing the ride side of hb face. I Ie underwent several hours of surgery at Univcrsit) of Mississippi Medical Center m Jack.c.,on follo,ving the inci– dent, but efforts to saw his right eye \\ere not succcssfu 1. Another surgery wns per– formed fhun;dily during which time doctors removed his eve and rt.?construclcd the right side of his face. Fortenberry is cxpcded to receive an artificial eye sometime in March. Dinmond Warrior head Jake Yarborough s,1id player; will display l'ortenberry's No. 29 on their caps throughout ll •2004 Cht-hander and former SC st ndout at Carthage lligh S~.h(lOI, wa~ among freshman Uf\ hurlers competing for the st1rting rotation. He was also WI expected to sec playing time in the outfit.'ltl. SP Yarborough said rorten- berry's acctdcnt ha:; been, IMI "devustaling to our whole AF ... •tr fcillen t amm te

Yarborough, now in his third year as head coach, led the Diamond Warriors to a 21- 21 mark last season. They were one game away from making the state playoffs, a goal Yarborough expects his team to reach this year. "We have sever a 1 returnees from last \ear, including six starter.., u1 the field and hvo pitchers. Our c;ophomores k.no'' ho\\ tough our schedule b and we expect them to give us lead– ership," Yarborough said prior to losing Drew Kenna with a broken wrist on Thursday. Kenna batted .392 as a freshman. "I think our team has a strong \~·ork ethic and a love for the game. We should be more athletic this vear. Our outfielders have g~od speed with arm strength. "We are fundamental in the infield. Our catchers are tough behind the plate. Our pitching staff consists of six sophomores and seven fresh– men. "Our kc\ to success lies "ith defense and pitching." Top otfensivc returnees and their re..,pccth e batting a\ eragt!::> from 2003 include Dexter Sellers (.320), and Michael Dunn (.287 with stx home runs and 30 RBis). The Diamond Warriors open up with Northeast Mississippi Community College February 12 in Booneville, and begin home action February 14 against Jones County Jumor College. Both dates are doublehcad- crs.

CARTHAGINIAN ----------------- ~ESHOBA DEMOCRAT ------ NEWTON RECORD -------------- MERIDIAN STAR ---------------- CLARION-LEDGER ---------------

ECCC baseball player still recovering from eye injury

Frosh John Fortenberry of Carthage loses eye after taking on line drive By ROBBIE ROBERTSON Special to The Democrat East Central Communit)' College pitcher John FortenbeiT) always thought he had what it took to be a major leaguer. At 6-foot-4. 227 pound!), he had the frame. Now the Carthage native JU~I hopes to live a nonnal life. During an intra-~quad scrimmage last week. Fortenberry was lut in the face by a line drive. crushing the right side of his face. "It was something he l:ouldn't have reacted to," ECCC coach Jake Yarbrough said. "It was so quick and so unfortu-

nate. Our guys immediately went over to the side and said a prayer. Luckily his parents were there to give the para– medics information." His parents, Dawn and Cookie Fortenberry, accompanied Fortenberry to Laird Hospital where the cuts on his face were stitched up. He was then transported to the Uni– versit)' of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson where he underwent a 5- hour surgery. Yarbrough said after the practice, most of the team loaded on a bus and went to Jackson to check on their fall– en teammate. "(Thq doctors) said he was very fortunat~ to be alive and this wa!> the worst eye injury they had ever seen," Dawn Fortenberry said. "They told U!> the eye socket had been crushed and they would try to save the eye. "On Saturday. they checked the eye

and told us it was lost." Fortenberry's mother said her son , was scheduled for another surgery on I Thursday where doctors will attempt to reconstruct the right side of his face and the orbital area with titanium plat– ing. '"You could just see it in his face when the doctors came m and told him that he was going to Jose his eye." Dawn Fortenberry said. "He had eve.rr intention of going all the way (to the major leagues). Only God knows what the plan may be for him now. We do thank everyone for the support and love that they are llhowing." Yarbrough said Fortenberry was one of his top incoming freshmen. As a high school pitcher at Carthage, Fortenberry was a Mississippi Associ– ation of Coaches All-Star and partici– pated in the Stale Games of Mississip– pi. "II I\ devastating to our whole

baseball team," Yarbrough said. "Our real talented kid and managed to keep hearts and prayers go out to John's his feet on the Fortenberry's mother said she John ''as a very athletic young man doesn't know how she will go about It ..nJ one of our top freshmen. We will but hopes that the accident will m1"' him but the mo!)t important thing prompt some discuss1on O'-er usmg 1s how he i~ doing:· aluminum bats in college and perhaps ·He wru. probably one of the best some kind of protecuon for pitcher;. famJI)'. ground." "We hope for a quick recovery.

APPEA

THAGINIAN

LAKE fl SCOTT UNION

kid.' that\ come through here," said

''I don't know what we will do but

----------

Waid Prather. ed1tor of the Carthagin- I don't want this to happen to any~y 'HOBA DEMOCRAT ian. else." Dawn Fortenberry said. "Not only wa~ he a great baseball "Chances are if it had been a wood rTON RECORD player. he wa~ a good kid. He was a bat, they might have had a chance. Ilc

_ __..:....;.

WINSTI 'yes sir. no s1r,' kind of kid. He was a even said as a player. he wtshed they .I DIAN STAR --------- SPIRIT OF MORTON _______ wo_u_Id_c_h_an_gc to wooden bats." '-'L'"'RION-LEDGER --- - - - - IMPACT _______________________

wEEK oF -4--Fe;::::...:.,h.L.-J..I+-b _ _

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ECCC Diamond Warriors Members of the East Central Community College baseball team for the 2004 season. Diamond Warriors and their r espective high schools include, from left, front, out– fielder Andre Coleman, second baseman/short stop/out– fielder Brian McNeill, catcher Robby Carey, shortstop/sec– ond baseman Mario Thomas, third basemap/second base– man Matthew Boggan, second baseman/outfielder Daniel Harrison, third baseman Michael Dunn, pitcher/ou t fielder Dexter Sellers, pitcher Hunter Holley, pitcher Brent McMillan, second baseman/shortstop Brandon Ezell, out· fielder Derrell Ashford, middle, student assistants Brian Deel, and Chris Lynn, catcher/first baseman Jacob

Townsend, outfielder Drew Kenna, pitcher Jonatha1 Sigrest, Scott Central; pitcher/first baseman Jonatha Booker,catcherlleft fielder Craig Martin, catcher/fir baseman Corey Coward, pitcher Hunter Johnson, studea assistants Eric Hardy and James Sparks, bnc pitcher/first baseman Jim Tally, pitcher Lucas Pooli pitcher/first baseman Bryan Bennett, pitcher/outfield Marcus Davis, first baseman Destin Moore, pitcher Ke' Hatch, Carthage; pitcher Cody Savell, infielder David Fre~ Jake Yarborough, head coach; and Reggie Richardso1 assistant coach. Not pictured pitcher/outfielder Johj Fortenberry of Carthage and pitcher Chris Middleton. 1

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CARTHAGINIAN V

LAKE MESSENGER - --- ---- SCOTT COUNTY TIMES---- --– UNION APPEAL --------,1~ WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL 2 SPIRIT OF MORTON ___ ...:.,J_ ___ IMPACT _ _ _____ _ ___ _

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Page l o· .:

\1eridian Star

~ Meridian's lii!:Y' Online

gend them a Cubic

Monday, February 23, 2004

I LOCAL SPORTS Oops! Balk gives East Central v ictory over East Mississippi , By Tony Krausz I assistant sports editor

Feb.23,2004

Contents

East Central Community College received a little help from the rule book, as the team picked up its second win in as many games at the Rush Classic Baseball Tournament on Sunday. The Warriors (2-3) tallied their final run in a 3-2, 10-inning w1n over East Mis~1ssippi Community College (2-3) on a balk, which allowed ECCC pinch runner Daniel Harrison to score. "That's part of the game," said Warriors coach Jake Yarborough. "We felt confident with runners at second and th1rd, w1th one out, that something good was going to happen. We were glad to get the win." Warriors designated hitter Michael Dunn led off the bottom of the 1Oth inning drawing a walk, and Harrison replaced him on the base paths. ECCC right fielder Dexter Sellers followed the walk with a single to left field, and Harrison and Sellers moved to third and second base, respectively, on a groundout to second base by Bryan Bennett. With runners on the corners, EMCC coach Bill Baldner brought in Jonathan Russell to replace reliever Andrew Pylate. Russell was called for a balk for breaking his hands before stepping off the pitching rubber before throwing a pitch . "You have to step off and then break your hands," Baldner said . "He was breaking his hands while stepping off." The Lions forced the extra inning by coming back from a two-run defic1t 1n the top of the sixth inning.

--.;:.wne

~- Coturnns

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EMCC designated hitter Justin Faulkner dropped ECCC's lead down to 2-1 with a groundout to the shortstop , allowing Rod Williams to score from third base.

L1ons catcher Justin Best tied the game at two with an RBI double to right field to bring nome David Nanney, who reached base on a single. Nanney finished the game going 2- for-3. with a single and a double.

;~. ;~. ':'~nd ~"'i'lJr.com YIERIDIANSTAR!myarticles.asp?P=635835&S=584&Publ... 2/23/2004

,..,,an Star

Page 2 of 2

"I like that we came back," Baldner said. "I thought Nanney hit the ball well a couple of times, but we stink at the plate right now. Some of our sophomores really let us down. We had chances in the seventh , eighth and ninth innings to knock in some runs, but we didn't."

Dunn , who went 2-for-3 in the game, gave ECCC a 2-0 lead tn the bottom of the th1rd tnning by smashing a two-run homer over the left-field wall.

"Michael Dunn hit a big home run for us," Yarborough sa1d. 'We didn't hit w1th runners in sconng position like we wanted to."

The Warriors ended the game recording seven hits, and the Lions had six. .•

ECCC relief pitcher Brent McMillan notched the win allowing no runs on three hits with four strikeouts in four innings. EMCC's Andrew Pylate, who relieved Robert Tucker in the seventh, took the loss giving up one run on three hits in 3.1 innings with three strikeouts . The Lions continue their season against Gulf Coast Community College at 1 p.m. Wednesday at home in a doubleheader. The Warriors meet Southwest Community College in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Wednesday at home.

@ 2003 The Meridian Star All Rights Reserved .

http: ', W\\ ,,.. merid ianstar.com/MERlDIANSTAR/myarticles.asp?P=635 835&S=584&Publ... 2/23/2004

WEEK OF teb d j

Eagles fly past Warriors By Robby Atkinson staff writer It was hard to find a flaw in the Meridian Community Col– lege baseball team on Friday in the second game of the Rush Classic. The Eagles scored seven runs in the bottom of the second inning on Lhe way to a 10-0 over ~ ' Scaggs and we swung Field. h b "We t e ats great. 1 d 11 MCC coach P aye we Mike Federico today, and ...-r---.-..---r-----. we swung East Cen– tral Com- We played well today munity College at

the bats great," said MCC head coach Mike Fed– erico. "I wa \"er

plea-.ed · with the way we played defense overall, ,_______ and we came up with some big plays several times during the early stages, which wa · ~reat."

PHG -o BY Paa/t UDUUTT/ THE MERIDIAN STAR

WAITING FOR THE CALL

East Central's Mario Thomas looks for the call from the umpre lrt::cor

er d1an's Josh

out

Morgan during a steal attempt of second base.

LAKE MESSENGER-------- SCOTT COUNTY TIMES _______ UNION APPEAL --------- WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL ____ SPIRIT OF MORTON-------- IMPACT _________________

CARTHAGI\IA l -------– NESHOBA DEMOCRAT ----– NEWTON RECORD -:------- MERIDIAN STAR__..______ _ CLARION-LEDGER _ _____

The Eagles' Aaron George started the seven-run second inn,ing with a single past East Central third baseman Michael Dunn to put the first runner aboard for MCC. Sam Self came on to run for George and swiped second base. Toddrick Johnson walked after the stolen base and then sophomore right fielder Drew Van Sickle came up with the first blow of the inning for MCC. Van Sickle drove a deep shot to left that rattled off the wall for a two-run double to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. Kyle Ginn hammered the first home run of the "ea on for MCC, with a towering shot over the left-field wall to extend the lead to 5-0. "I thought that we responded very well after a tough loss in the second game of the doubleheader on

tage of and I was fortunate to connect on those homers," Ginn said. "It was great for our team to get this win to start the tournament, and we hope to keep it going." The Eagles added their final run in the sixth inning to cap– ture the win by the 10-run rule. Pope led the inning off with a double and later scored on a throwing error by relief pitcher Cody Savell that secured the win for the homestanding Eagles. Jonathan Booker took the loss for .East Central allowing seven runs on five hits in just two innings of work. MCC improved to 2-1 overall and East Central dropped to 0- 3. The Eagles return to action today at 3 p.m. against East Mississippi. East Central will play at noon against Jone~ County Junior College.

mound this season. Rozier allowed two hits and struck out one batter in six innings of work. "I felt really good going into the game, and I made some great pitches early that gave me a lit1.le confidence," Rozier said. "It was great to get this win today, and I think we are pointed in the right direction." Rozier stole the show for much of the middle half of the game, but the MCC bats took control in the fifth to give Rozier plenty of run support. Dillon Sudduth led the fifth off with a double and two batters later Ginn came through with a long drive to deep center field just over the large green wall for his second home run of the game to give the Eagles a 9-0 lead. ''They left a couple of pitches up that I took advan-

Tuesday," Federico said. "We are very excited about the way we are playing." The hits kept coming for MCC as Michael Murray fol– lowed Ginn with a single, and Joey Lieberman drove in Murray on a sacrifice fly to left to make the score 6-0. The final run of the inning came off the bat of Van Pope with a line drive homer to right-center field for a 7-0 advantage. "\Ve give Meridian a lot of credit because they played very well today," said East Cen– tral head coach jake Yarbrough. "We just need to try and come back tomorrow and try and get back on track and get a win." MCC starting pitcher :'viatthew Ro~ier rolled along in the game by tossing four innings of no-hit ball and notched his first win on the

WEEK OF teb d~

Eagles fly past Warriors By Robby Atkinson staff writer It was hard to find a flaw in the Meridian Community Col– lege baseball team on Friday in the second game of lhe Rush Classic. The Eagles scored seven runs in lhe bottom of the second inning on the way to a

10-0 over East Cen– tral Com- munity College at Scaggs

We played well today,

and we swung Field. "We the bats great. 1 d 11 MCC coach P aye we Mike Federico today, and ~--.-..--.,....--..,....., we swung

the bats great,~ "8id ~ICC head coach ~tike Fed– erico. wy wa vcr · plca-.ed - with the way we played

defense overall,

AO-o BY PA:U. IIERRITT/ ntE MERIDIAN STAR

~.-.- _______.and

we

WAITING FOR THE CALL

came up with some big plays several times during the early stages, which was $lreat."

East Central's Mario Thomas looks for the call from the ump:re

erid :an's Josh

Morgan during a steal attempt of second base.

CARTHAG •;. , ------------------ .NESHOBA DE~.' OC:U..T ____ __ NEWTON RECORD - ------- MERIDIAN STAR ---- ------ CLARION-LEDGER _ ______

LAKE MESSENGER----- --– SCOTT COUNTY TIMES - -----– UNION APPEAL --------- WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL ____ SPIRIT OF MORTON-------- IMPACT __________________

WEEK OF ...l...,;ftb=-d_!_ ___

Warri r baseba I eam earns first two wins ECCC 10, Jones 7

of five East Central batters with multiple hits, drm·e a looper into shallow left field, scoring Derrell Ash– ford and Michael Dunn. Robby Carey thrust the Warriors in front later in the inning, belting a three– run homer down the left field line and putting East Central up 8-7. MCC 10, ECCC 0 The Eagles scored seven runs in the bottom of the second inning, which were more than enough as MCC took a 10-0 over East Cen– tral. Community College at Scaggs Field. ECCC 3, EMCC 2 The Warriors (2-3) tallied their fmal run in a 3-2, 10- inning win over East Mis· sissippi Community Col– lege (2-3) on a balk. which allowed ECCC pinch run– ner E>aniel Harrison to score. ECCC relief pitcher Brent McMillan notched the win allowing no runs on three hits with four strike– outs in four innings. The Warriors ended the game recording seven hits, and the Lions had si.x hits in the loss.

A late offensive burst helped East Central Commu– nity College overcome field– ing woes in a 1{)-7 win over Jones Junior College in the Rush Classic on Saturday. Down 5-0 after the second inning. East Central rallied with eight runs in the fmal three innings. "We've been struggling hitting the ball lately," said Warriors head coach Jake Yarbrough, whose team picked up its first win of the season. '·It was good to see us hit the ball as well as we did.'' East Central got on the scoreboard in the top of the third on a two-out, two-RBI single by :Michael Dunn, but Jones rebuilt its five– run lead in the bottom of the fourth when Burch hit a two-RBI single. Burch hit 2- for-5 for the Bobcats, who took their 7-2lead into sev– enth inning. Warriors catcher Bradon Ezell scored in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Mario Thomas, beginning a comeback for East Central that the War– riors completed in the eighth. Dexter Sellers, who finished 2-for4 and was one

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WEEK OF ...l....:ft~n_;:::_d....::::..~----

The 2004 East Central Community College Warrior baseball team. Wani rs dedicate season to injured teammate SJre

Jake Yarborough said play– ers ':'.ill display Fortenber– ry's :\o. 29 on their caps throughout the 2004 cam– paign in tribute to their fall– en teammate. · Yarborough said Forten– berry, a 6-3, 211-pound right– hander and former standout at Carthage High School, was among freshman hurlers competing for the starting rotation. He was also expected to see playing time in the outfield. Yarborough said Forten– berry,s accident has been "devastating to our whole baseball team." "Our hearts and prayers go out to John and his fami– ly," Yarborough said, "and we hope for a quick recovery. John is a very athletic young man and one of our top freshmen. We will miss him this season but the most important thing is his health and well being." Fortenberry is the son of Dawn and Cookie Fortenber– ry of Carthage. Yarborough, now in his third year as ECCC head coach, led the Diamond War-

When baseball season eets under way February 12-for the East Central Communitv College Diamond WarriorS, players will have more than scoring runs and winning games on their minds. Team members will also direct their thoughts toward John Fortenberry, a fresh– man pitcher from Carthage, who sustained a season-end– ing injury dlll·ing an intra– squad scrimmage on Jan– uary 23.

Fortenberry was hit in the face by a line drive, crushing the ride side of his face. He tmderwent several hours of AP p EJ. Slll~e~ atUniversity of Mis– lSSlPPl .Medical Center in Jackson LAKE I following the incident, but effmis to save his right eye scon were not successful. UNION Another surgery was per– formed January 29, during which time doctors removed WINST 1 his eye and reconstructed SPIRIT the right sid~ of his face. Fortenberry 1s expected to 1M p AC' receive an artificial eye sometime in March. Diamond Warrior head

CARTHAGINIAN ------- NESHOBADEMOCRAT ________ NEWTON RECORD V ~------- MERIDIAN STAR -------- CLARION-LEDGER -----------

Lc 11t'd

mound Regarding top freshmen, Yarborough said Jonathan Booker (Bhiladelphia) and Lucas Poole (Newton) "are also competing for the start– ing rotation," and Marcus Davis (Magee) has been "very impressive swinging the bat." He added Mario Thomas (Forest) and Bran– don Ezell (Newton County) should see "a lot of playing time" in the middle infield. Yarborough said his team is ready to begin the "real" season, especially after com– pleting a successful fall cam– paign.

RBis.

for the game. We should be more athletic this year: Our outfielders have good speed with arm strength. We are fundamental in the infield. Our catchers are tough behind the plate. Our pitch· ing staff consists of six sophomores and seven fresh– men. Our key to success lies with defense and pitching." Top offensive returnees and their respective batting averages from 2003 include Drew Kenna of Forest, .392; Dexter Sellers of Bastrop, La., .320; and Michael Dtum of Pascago\}la, who hit .287 with six hdlne runs and 30

riors to a 21-21 mark last sea– son. They were one game away from making the state playoffs, a goal Yarborough expects his team to reach this year. "We have several returnees from last year mcluding six starters in the field and two pitchers. Our sophomores know how tough our schedule is and we expect them to give us lead– ership," Yarborough said. Regarding the team.s strengths, Yarborough made the following observation: "I think our team has a strong work ethic and a love

Destin of Kosciusko collected 24 RBis. (Kenna, team co-captain with pitcher Jim Tally; sus– tained a broken left arm during practice on January 29 and will be out of action for approximately eight weeks.) Tally; a product of Moore– ville High School in Saltillo, leads returning pitchers with a &2 record. Tally and fellow sophomores Brent McMillan of Newton and Hunter Holley of Philadel– phia are competing for the starting rotation on the Moore

I I ECCC Diamond Warriors

, THETIMES/ SUBMITIEDPHOTO The East Central Community College baseball team for the 2004 season and their respective high schools Include, first row, from left, outfielder Andre Colemai'f, Louisville; second baseman/short stop/out– fielder Brian McNeill, Enterprise; catcher Robby Carey, Newton County; shortstop/second baseman MArio Thomas. Forest; third baseman/second baseman Matthew Boggan, Newton County; second baseman/outfielder Daniel Harrison, Lamar School; third baseman Michael Dunn, Pascagoula· pitche~outfielder Dexter Sellers, Bastrop, La.; pitcher Hunter Holley, Philadelphia; pitcher Brent McMillan, Newton; second baseman/shortstop Brandon Ezell, Newton County;and outfielder Derrell Ashford, Louisville; (second row, from left) student assistants Brian DeeI, East Rankin Academy, and Chris Lynn, Madison Central; catcher/first baseman Jacob Townsend, Neshoba Central; outfielder Drew Kenna, Forest: pitcher Jonathan Sigrest, Scott Central; pitcher/first baseman Jonathan Booker, Philadelphia; catcher/left fielder Craig Martin, Lake; catcher/first baseman Corey Coward, N.oxapater; pitcher Hunter Johnson. Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Central; student assistants Eric Hardy, Vicksburg, and James Sparks, c;j, --' VI ..J - "''

WEEK OF _;_\i~b~~_;;::.3~---

East Central c mmunitJ College Dia nd Warrior Baseball

tvlembers of the 2004 East Centrdl Community College Diamond Warrior baseball team from Newton County indude (seated from left) catcher -Robby carey and third baseman/second baseman Matthew Boggan, both of Decatur; and second baseman/outfielder Dan1el Hamson of Nev~o1:0ni and (standing from left) secon9 baseman/shortstop Brent McMillan of Newton, second baseman/shortstop Bran– don Ezell of Decatur, and pitchers Lucas Poole and Cody Savell, both of Newton. East Central ~~~T.~!!!~s~ 3 ~llege 1-877-G0-2-ECCC • www.eccc.edu

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~ 1 Players Dedicate Season.Tolnjured Teammate u:::: LL 0 .fi-eshman hurlers competing for the start– ing rotation . He was also e:ll.-pected to see pL•tying time in the outfield.

Special to the Times DECATUR - When baseball Heuson gets underway February 12 for thC' East Central Community College Diamond Warriors, players will h.:'Wc mort' than scoring runs and winning gam<.'s on l.h<'ix minds. Team members will also dm•d Ilwn· thoughts towaTd J oh11 For1 Pnht•ny, u freshman pitcher from Carlhn~l', who sus tained a season-ending inJury dtmng an intra-squad scnnunagt> on Janttat} 23 Fortenben y was hit m the faet' by a lme dri"e, crushing the ride 1:11de ofhis face. He underwent several how'S of surgery a t Univen;ity of l\.1is~ppi Medical Center in J ackson following the incident, but efforts to save his right eye were not suc- cessful ·~· Another s ill·gery ·~as- pe1formed J anua ry 29, dUli.ng which time docto1'S removed his eye and reconstructed -the right side of his face. Fortenberry is expect– ed to receive an artificial eve sometime in March. Diamond Warrior head Jake Yarborough said players will display Fortenberry's number 29 on theil· caps throughout the 2004 campaign in tribute to their fallen teammate. Yru·borough said Fortenheny, a 6-3, 211-potmd 1-ight-hander and former stand– out at Ca1thage High SchooL wall among

Yarborough said Fortenbeny's accident baH lxoen "devastating to our whole base– hall tA:•am." "Our lwarl~ and prayers go out to J ohn and hi'l fiHmly," Ynrhol'Ough f!aid, "and we hop(' for a quick t't•c·owry. J ohn iH a V<'ly at hid I(' young man nnd otw of our top ftno~lum•n. Wl' will mJS.'I him thJ.'I Hl'nson hut tlw mo~l unportant thmg ts htH lwalt h and \.\<'ll bern!{." Fortenbcn-v is lhe son of Dawn and Coolo.e ForteclJen y of Carthage. Yarborough, now in lu.s thll-d yeru· as ECCC head coach, led the Diamond Warnors to a 21-21 mark last season. They were one game away from making the state playoffs, a goal Yarborough expects his teanl to reach this year. MWe have several returnees from lal)t year, including six starters in the field and two pitchers. Our sophomm"eS know how tough our schedule is and we expect them to give us leadership," Yarborough said. Regarding the team's strengths, Yarborough made the following observa– tion: "I think Oill' team has a strong work ethic and a love for the game. We should be more athletic this year. Our outfielders have good speed with arm strength. We

:::( w w ~

iHE TWES 1 SUBMITTED PHOTO These student-athletes from Scott County are members of the East Central Coo'munity College baseball team for the 2004 campaign. Fran left are shortst~second baseman Mario Thomas and outfielder Drew Kenna, both of Forest; pitcher Jonathan Sigrest. Scott Central; and catcher/left fielder Craig Martin, Lake. Kenna also serves as team co-capta1n with pitcherJill Tally of Saltlllo. JakeYarborough serves as head coach of the Diamond Warriors and Reggie Richardson is his assistant

are fundamental in the infield. Our catch– ers 8.1'0 tough behind the plate. Our pitch– ing staff consists of six sophomores and seven. fi.-eshmen. OUl· key to s uccess lies witli defense and pitching." ._ Top offensive ret urnees and their

respective battmg averages fi.'Om 2003 include Drew Kenna of Forest, .392; Dexter Sellers of Bastrop, La., .320; and Michael Dunn ofPascagoula, who hit .287 With six home runs and 30 RBI11. D<.•Ht m Moore of Kosciusko collected 24 RBI•

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WEEKOF~~~\\ ________

1·~tets d ~ 2CC4 - as.· ( ~ ~ ~ : <.r- T.1.1Y. -.clf.:-ge C1ar-c,.c \'.'cr -) .bi'.r~ll t?arr ~r'Y"l Scott u::u·:-,• n~ll.Cc (' '011 IH' - r• : :;t "•J •s.=.:cn:t ta:;t::Tliln \\,1 r'· r -,:,na~ i'J'tj owtraOY Crt:.\\ ' "'nn:s. r~tn ·:f 1-t:•-"~' .J ' n.:. •:c-atna--. ~-;~s~. s.-~,:1 Cer:rat . i'l"'':l :::arcner,< ett Nee C <:.; '•lar:Jr, 1a!.;. East Central CommUnity College P.O. Box 129 • Decatur, MS 39327 .. -877-G0-2-ECCC • www ecce edu

~c,;:;r;o;:~':r.!~Oft!'4~oti~Gf,_.,.._~~WWISCftOOil!t-~a.-.Oeau ~300~7T~~ ,..,, .•.• ., ....... .,,... :;~;:;:z::::.:~~IG'I~-::~'Acc~::,ra:.~~-=,z:..~'::~~~-:=tO!" \ti(~Fr-9'*Ad r~u:o~ ... ,m

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MERIDIAN STAR ______

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WEEK OF f'rvMvb \

ECCC Baseball Coaches

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~· DECATUR--Jake Yarborough (right) begins his third year as head coach of the East Central Community College baseball team. At left is his assistant, Reggie Richardson, now in his second year with the Diamond Wa.rrio;s.. (EC .Photo).

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WEEK OF LLffi~tw.h~-' ~---

ECCC Outfielders

.•

J DECATUR--Outfielders on the East Central Community College baseball team for the 2004 campaign include, seated from left, Andre Coleman, Louisville; Brian McNeill, Enterprise; Mario Thom~s, Forest; Dexter Sellers, Bastrop, La; and Brandon Ezell, Newton County. Standing from left are Derrell Ashford, Louisville; Drew Kenna, Forest; Craig Martin, Lake; Corey Coward, Noxapater; and Marcus Davis, Magee. Jake Yarborough serves as head coach of the Diamond Warriors and Reggie Richardson is his assistant. (EC Photo)

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WEEK OF (Y\® lo ]

ECCC shooting for state playoff berth this season

Holleyofphiladelphiaare competing for the starting rotation on the mound. ' Regarding top freshmen, YarboroughsaidJonathan Booker (Philadelphia) and Lucas Poole (New– ton) 'are also competing 1 for the starting rotation," and Marcus Davi s (Magee) has been "very impressive swinging the bat." He added Mario Thomas (Forest) and Brandon Ezell (Newton . County) should see"lot of playing time" inthemiddle infield. Yarborough said his team is ready to begin the "real" season, espe-. cially after completing a successful fall campaign. "We finished 5-2-1 in the fall, and several players posted outstanding stats. Michael Dunn hit .457 with two home runs and seven doubles; Jacob Townsend (N eshoba Central) hit .441 with one

behind the plate. Our pitching staff consistsof six sophomores and· seven freshmen. Our key to suc– cess lies with defense and pitching." Top offensive returnees and their respective bat– ting averages from 2003 include Drew Kenna of Forest, .392: Dexter Sell– ers ofBastrop, L~ .. .320: and Michael Dunn of Pascagoula, who hit .287 with six home runs and 30 RBis. Destin Moore of Kosciusko collected 24 RBls. (Kenna. team co– captain with pitcher Jim Tally, sustained a broken left ann duringpracticeon January29 and will be out of action for approxi– mately eight weeks.) Tally, a product of Mooreville High School in Saltillo, leads returning pitchers witha 6-2 record. Tally and fellow sopho– mores BrentMcMillan of

DECATUR--Jake Yarborough, now in his third year as ECCC head coach, led the Diamond Waniors to a 21-21 mark last season. They were onegameaway frommak– ing the state playoffs, a goal Yarborough expects his team to reach this year. '"\Ve have several return– ees from last year, includ– ing six starters in the field and two pi~chers. Our sophomores know how tough our schedule is and weexpect them to give us leadership," Yarborough said. • Regarding the team ~.s strengths, Yarborough made the following obser– vation: "I think our team has a strong work ethic and a love for the game. We should be more ath– letic this year. Our out– fielders have goodspeed with ann strength. Weare fundamental in the infield.

Scott County DiamondWarriors - ..,

DECATUR--These student-athletes from Scott County are members of the East Central Community College baseball team for the 2004 campatgn. From left are shortstop/second baseiJ!an Mario Thomas and outfielder Drew Kenna, both ofFor– est; pitcher Jonathan Sigrest, Scott Central; and catcher/left fielder Craig Martin, Lake. Kenna also serves as team co-captain with pitcher Jim Tally of Saltillo. Jake Yarborough serves as head coach of the Dtamond Warriors and Reggie Richardson is his assistant. (EC Photo r

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WEEK OF 11\Jub \

EC Coaches and Captains

Jake Yarborough, right, begins his third season as head coach of the East Central Community College baseball team. Reggie Richardson, left, serves as assistant coach. Serving as captains for the 2004 Diamond Warriors are pitcher/ first baseman Jim Tally (second from left), a product of Mooreville High School, and out– fielder Drew Kenna of Forest. (ECCC Photo)

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WEEK OF rr\iw h ~

ECCC Spring Break Baseball t ourney is set DECATUR- Eight area teams will take the diamond for the 2004 East Cen– tral Commumty College Spring Break Baseball Tournament starting on Monday. The three-day tournament runs through Wednesday at Chris Gay IV Memorial Field. Forest and Philadelphia will meet in the tournament's opening game at 10 a.m. Monday, and Bruce takes on Meridian High School in the second game of the day at 12:30 p.m. Carthage squares off against Choctaw Central at 3 p.m. in the third game, and Nashoba Central wraps up the opening day of competition against Newton County at 5:30p.m. Tuesday's contests open with the loser of game one and game three meeting at 1 o a.m., and the loser of game two and game four take the field at 12:30 p.m. The winners of games one and two play at 3. p.m., and the winner of game three and game four clas~ at 5:30 P:m. The championship game Will be played at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, and the third– place contest will start at 3 p.m. The consolation bracket's final game will be played at 12:30 p.m.! and ~he final day starts with the consolation third-place game at 10 a.m. -r--·· v ...--.. --

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aseball eam ·ng to get on track "'!EIJ3o;[_L'J1 '.. -

Jonathan Sigrest was the losing pitcher in the first game. Also pitching were HLmter Holly and Jonathan Bool

The East Central Commu– nuv College \Varriors will tr. t f!~'t har'k on the win– n . track this week as they tn to improve on their 6-9 rerord. Th Warriors were to\ isit S th Dh 1sion rival South- • Tue;:,da\. and then mo Ncinh Division ~ " ith Itawamba coming t \ 1-1· satw'day. a11cl the!1 • • t Northea;:,t Commu– .ty C liege on Sunday. ·we are makino too manv • right nov/' EC coach J : Yaroroughsaid. "\Veare real!· ~tru,c:lm~ on defense is CC;:, tim us... Th Ea,t Central \Var– n .-s dropped a pair of b ball game::. to Wabash \"all ··of Illinois Monday in a ·arne played at Decatnr. Th ·~varriors lost the first game 6-2. and then dropped rhe set.:ond contest 16·14.

ROBBIEROBERTSOI'VTHE NEVl/TON RECORD An East Central player dives back into first base Thursday against Jones Junior College.

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ECCC Diamond Girls Members of the East Central third row, Candice McCann and Lindsey Community College Diamond Girls for the Knight, both of Union; Erin Plunkett, Lake; 2004 season and their ~spective home- Ginger Vance, Decatur; Ashley Nicholson, towns include, front, froni left, Jess Davis, Chunky; Shana Smith, Union; Holly Louisville; Mary Lois Thomas and Jennifer Jackson, Decatur; and Tracey Blackwell, Carson, both of Decatur; Rhonda Stroud, Union; and back, Courtnee Graham, Nanih Anna Price and Liz Kirk, all of Louisville; Waiya; Andrea Chesney, Little Rock; and Ashley Clark of Starkville; (second Kimberly Atkinson and Jamie Gilmer, both row, from l eft) Daphanie Hatcher and of Carthage; Dru Fulton, Louisville; Lee Courtney Puckett, both of Louisville; Anne Rawson, Carthage; and Amy Warner, Brandi Patterson, Morton; Lindsey Louisville. Not pictured is Renee Clanton, Lawrence; Morgan Harris and Thompson of Pelahatch ie. Assistant base– Brittany Harris, both of Louisville; Lynlee ball coach Reggie Richardson serves as Healy, Macon; and Audra Myers, Louisville; sponsor.

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