2008

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lOA The Carthaginian, Carthage, Miss., January 17, 2008

ECCC Diamond Darl ings The 2008 Diamond Darlings at East Edinbur g; Wh itney Smith, Winston Central Community College, who assist in Acad emy; and Cai tlin Harper, Newton promoting and supporting the College's Count y Academy; (fourth row, from left) Diamond Warrior baseball team. are Ginn y Mitchell, Leak e Academy; Santigous (front row, from left) Kasey Crutcher, Culpepper, Forest; and Jennifer Wyatt, Edinburg; Jennifer Sistrunk, Carthage; Joy Newton County Academy; and (fifth row, Hayes, Newton County; and Ashley from left) Ashley Pigg, Edinburg; Britni Fortune, Edinburg; (second row, from left) Harvey, Leake Academy; Erica Dowell, Olivia Scott, Carthage; Samantha Wright , Edinburg; and Tiffany Thomas, Winston Winston Academy; a nd Lauren Lyle, Academy. Katie Sparkman serves as spon– Carthage; (third row, from left) Caitlin sor. (EC Photo) Puckett, Winston Academy; Lacy McMurry, -------------------~=,.,.......,~· "' .... ..... ~.- ...... ·-...--== = =---

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N8NTONRECORD __________

SCOTT COUNTY TIMES--- --– UNION APPEAL - - - - --- - VVINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL _ _ _ _ SPIRIT OF MORTON------ -- OTHER _____ _________

MERIDIAN STAR--- ---- CLARION-LEDGER _ _ ____ IMPACT ____________

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Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Polk coming to EC's Rrst-PitchDinner Special to The Record

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"Coach Polk is obviously one of the most success– ful college coaches in the nation," Holliman stated, "and we are cer– tain we will have a large crowd to hear him speak.

He guided the 2007 Bulldogs to their eighth appearance in the NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, completing season action with a 38-22 record. The Diamond Dawgs advanced to the CWS after capturing the NCAA Tallahassee Regional and Starkville Super Regional Polk has also guided h is MSU squad to five regular season or tournament championships and 23 NCAA post season berths Polk's overall coaching record is 1,350·669-2 and his MSU mark is 1,U 6·557-2. He has twice been honored as National Coach of the Year and is See POLK, Page 2B

FYI

Longtime Mississippi State University baseball coach Ron Polk will be the featured speaker when East Central Community College holds its second annual First Pitch Dinner scheduled 'J:'uesday, J anuary 22, 2008, on the Decatur campus. ECCC head baseball coach Neal Holliman, who guided the 2007 Diamond Warriors to the MACJC State Championsh ip in his first year as head coach, invites the public to attend the baseball pre– season banquet, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in Mabry Memorial Cafeteria. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 12 and undet~

What Secon(i Annual First-Pitch Dinner for the East Central.Com munity CQIIege baseball. teqm ..

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Holiman

When: Tuesday,

This is also a great opportunity for our fans to meet the 2008 Diamond Warrior team. We're looking forward to a great evening and are very excited about the upcoming season." Coach Polk is in his 29th season as the MSU baseball skipper and 35th year as a collegiate head coach.

Jan. 22. 6:30 p.m.

Where: East Central Community College cafetena. HoW MJcii: 'ntkctS ·are $20 ,for ad~ltS ~nd '$10 'for ages 12 aod under. Who: Mi~fppi State baseball coach Ron Polk.

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Polk from Pctgc 1B

Uinne1· or to purchase tickets contact Coach Neal Holliman. Phone 601-635 2111 or call toll free, 1-l:lT/ "? 162.:l222, ext. 374. His em:'li ~ address is~ nhollirmmfaieccc.edu. :5 Coach Holliman urge~ c( everyone to pm·chase ticJ. I: ets in advance to ensu, t ~ seating. _ _ :( ~ 0

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of Fame. East Central begins the :wos baseball season by hosting Alabama South– ern in double-header action beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 at the Clark-Gav Memorial Base– ball Complex. For more information on the ECCC First Pitch

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a member of the Ameri." can Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. Mississippi and MSU Sports Halls of Fame, and the Georgia Southern University Hall

ECCC PHOTO

NEW\WARRIORS Eleven high school baseball standouts took part 1n Tuesday's signing ceremony at ECCC. Holliman, Diamond Warriors add 11 new signees to class from school reports top pitcher award. !It• is also a member of the .300 Club.

East Central Community College head baseball coach Neal Holliman took advantage of the early signing period by welcoming 11 new squad members to the 2008 recruiting class during a ceremony held Tuesday on the Decatur campus. J oining the Diamond WarriorS:for 2008-09 are Quin Stokes, a 6', 195-pound catcher/out– fie lde r from Carthage High School and coached by former Diamond Warrior David Luke; Drew Wi lson, a 6'2, 215-pound pitcher/first baseman, Tyler Laird, a 6-1, 190- pound infielder, Jeremy May, a 5-8, 160-pound catcher and Tyler Davis, a 6-2, 185-pound pitcher, all from Newton County High School and coached bv Wvatt Tull >"' S n~ v· .,., a 6-1, lu ~pound· tchenrom ~~··"t' His!h ~ hoot and coached bv Brian Goodman: Tevin Houston. a 6-l, ':w5-pound outfielder from Philadelphia High School and coached by Eddie Pierce: Austin Buchanan, a 6-4. 1/5- pound pitcher from Neshoba Central and coached by former Diamond Warrior Brian Jones; Jordan Smith, a 6'. 172-pound catcher/infielder from Union High School and coached by former Diamond Warrior Turk Stovall; Barry Meeks, a 5-10, 190-pound pitcher from Patrician Academy in Sweet Wate r, Ala.; and Garrett Butler, a 5-11. 170- pound infielder from Runnels High School in Baton Rouge, La. Stokes was named to the All-Division 5-3A team and received the Diamond Tigers' best offensive player award. Wilson a lso made the All-Division 5-3A squ ad and received the Diamond Cougars'

Laird. an All·Division 5-3A honorable men– tion sele ction, st•rvt•s as team captain and received the Krump Award. He also qualified for the .300 Club. May was .:;el~cted most verc;atile and received the ba.:;<• runner award. He is also a member of the .:~00 Club. Davis is abo a recipient of the most versa– tile and ERA awards, uring the 2007 campaign, he po~ted a 7-2 mark on the mound with a 1.65 earned run average. He fanned 63 batters in 7'L inning~ of work. lit• also had a .362 batting average. Smith batted .:ifi5 his junior year and received the most improved player award. Meeks rnade the All-District team in 2007 and received hb team', mo"t valuable pitcher award. Butler is an All·State and All-District per– former. "We are pleased with our efforts so far toward the 2008 ....jgning class, but we still have several J)layer" that have caught our eye," Holliman said of the early signing class. "We will continue to work ;tnd evaluate to find the best combination... for the East Cen– tral baseball program " I

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WEEK OF S. ~.~-r-·, __,a>£...J-...t,-:--. __

The Union Appeal • Union , Mississ1pp1 • Wednesday, Jan

New Diamond Warriors Area baseball standouts (seated second, from left) Drew Wilson and T~ ler Laird, both of :"'le" tnn Count~ lligh School; Jordan Smith of Union High School; and Jeremy May and l yler Davi , both of 1\e\\lon Count~ lligh School, l\-ere welcomed to the 2008-09 East Central Community College baseball squad during a si~ning cere– mony held Januaf} 15 on the DecatUT campus. Wilson, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound pitcher/first ba,cman. made the All-Dilision 5-3-\ squad and received the Cougars' Best Offensive Pia~ er al\ ard. Laird. a 6-font-1. 190-pound infielder, was an All-Division 5-3A honorable mention selection and serves as tram c

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NESHOBA DEMOCRAjf ____ NEWTON RECORD _________ MERIDIAN STAR------- CLARION-LEDGER______ \MPACT ____________

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B4 SPORTS MCC, East Central each split on road

from staff reports One game after scoring a points, Meridian Community Col– lege's NaDosha Strickland continued her torrid shooting, establishing a new career-high with 41 points in leading the Lady Eagles to an 81-71 win at Gulf Coast Monday night Behind Strickland, a former standout at 13ay Springs High School. Meridian turned a 39-39 half– time tie into a 10-point win. In addition to Strickland, Monique Clayton added 13 for the Lady Eagles. Savannah Palamare.z paced Gulf Coast with 25. With the win, Meridian improved to 1S.3 overall and 5-2 in division play to keep pat·e with 6-1 East Central. -Br01zdo11 Walker Gulf Coast men 80 Meridian 78 After owning a 42-38 half– time lead, Meridian's Eagles were unable to keep up with homestanding Gulf Coast, who roared back to claim a 2- point win. Sophomore Regis Huddle– ...ton, abo of Bay pring . a -~ "clt33 thP Eagles while TC Frankhn countered with 36 for Gulf Coast.Meridian will remain on the road Thursday night, traveling to take on Hinds in another doubleheader. -Brandon Walker East Central Pearl River 63 53 East Central Community College's Lady Warriors improved to 1S.2 overall and team-high 31

AREA ROUNDUP and-tuck from the outset, Enterprise entered halftime with a two-point lead and held on for a win over West Laud· erdale Monday night. After owning a 28-26 half– time lead over the Knights, Enterprise held on despite a late charge for the win. For the Bulldogs, who improved to 7-9 with the win, J.D. McGruder led the way with 14 points, followed by Dion Johnson with 12 and Marquez Goodloe with 10. Paris Johnson added eight for EHS. On the West LaudC'rdale side. Justin Ford paced all scorers with 16 while Matthew Betts chipped in 1:~ and Nathan Herrington added 11. Enterprise will return home to host Neshoba Cen– tral tonight while West will travel to Quitman. -Brandon Walker West Lauderdale 38 Enterprise girls 3 7 Trailing by a bucket heading into the fourth quarter. West Lauderdale's Lady Kni{!ht out..cored Enter– prj · -4 · n the final frame to e cape "ith a 1-point win. For West Lauderdale, Leslie Martin c;corcd eight, while Nundie Franklin and Tambria Davis each added seven. On the Enterprise side, Baleigh. Volking led all scorers with 14 whitt• Katie Sheppard added 13. -Brando11 Walker

PREP SOCCER West Lauderdale 8 Neshoba Central 3 Missing the Class 4A play– offs by an eyelash, West Lauderdale's boys ended their season on a winning note Monday night. Behind a four-goal per– formasce from Nathan Hodges, the Knights ended their season at 10-8 overall and 5-3 in division play. In addition to Hodges, the Knights received a pair of goals from Caleb Brown. Also scoring for WL were Alex Malvaez and Jacob Daniels.For West, Chase Sonak added a pair of assists. -Brando11 Walker LATE BASKETBALL Leake Aca. girls 67 Manchester 23 The No. 1 ranked Rebelettes opened the game with a 3S.2 run and coasted to their 30th win of the season against no defeats. Leake led 45-8 at halftime and got a game-high 21 points from ~lary Lauren \\'~J..,on. Ef!1ily Kea a~ded 14 I pomk'. ''hde Anna \' m,..tead 1 scored 12. Brittany Gross and Ragen Sistrunk shared team-high honors with five assists each, while Hannah Lee had six steals. Leake, 30-0, had its con– test against Oak Hill on Sat– urday canceled. The Rebelettes go to Tri– County Academy tonight. --Rocky Higginbotham

6-1 in MACJC South Division play with a 63-53 victory on the road at Pearl River Monday night. After owning a :{4<~0 hall· time lead, the Lady Warriors extended their lead to earn the 10-point win. For the Lady Warriors, Rashima Jenkins connected on 12-of-16 shots from the field for a game-high 27 points and added 11 rebounds to lead the way. Mystee Dale added 14 for East Central while Tancsha Brown scored 10. Sherrion Thomas led Pearl River (13-5, 4-3) with 11 points. -Brandon Walker Pearl~ River Men 70 East Central 67 After trailing by 12 at half– time, East Central's Warriors made a second-half push before falling short Monday night. East Central's Dcvarius Walker led the second half charge, connecting for five three-pointers en routt• to a team-high 23 point!>. Jo,h Luckett added 13 for the War- n rs e ;lu,tin Brown each -.cored eight.For PRCC. Donta . mith led the way with 20. With the lo~s. East Cen– tral falls to 7-11 overall and 2-5 in division play. -Brandon m1lker

s PREP BASKETBALL Enterprise boys 61 West Lauderdale 59 In a game that v; a nip- "NINSTON COUNTY JOUt{NAr-------- SPIRIT OF MORTON ---------------------- OTHER _ ________:__ _ U

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r''"'" "·' ~ '·-· ·~, Polk issues challenge to DiamondWarriors

111 a supreme being. Withot faith, you walk through I if without plHlJO$e. "You need to have some thing to pick you up becaus you'rl! going to have goo days as wdl a$ bad days. "You have to ha,·c a com mitmcnt to be ~omethin special. "And you need to make dttlcrencc in someone·s Iii e\ery day. This world need ui fTc renee 'makers." Polk also took the oppor tunity to thrO\\ in a fc, barbs at SEC--rival Ole Mb~ Continued on 38 ... Sec Polk...

20·year old boys here tonight ... what an exciting time in their lives." Poll-.. said. "The scoreboard is going to be turned on in a few weeks. I really like shaking the hands of the other coach after wc'\'e won. but it'5 not the only thing. Baseball is a sport and should be treated as such, not as a war "In life. you're going to have wmners and losers. That's what irs all about But these young men play because they enjoy the game, the fellowshtp. the competition.

"Raising yuung men 111 this ag~: is dillicult. It's our job to make sun: they under– stand the more important thing~. "Let'~ lo\'C them and nuturc them, J\nd kt'~ disci– pline them with what's right and what's wrong. There arc so many dtstmctions today. "The nc:xt three or four years arc going to dcten\line what vou become the rco;t of your iire. You l·annot rcpltiec these years:· Polk listed four step~ ft>r the Warriors to follow to help ensure bright luturcs "You'\'e got to ha\c •fitith

By Marty Stamper Appeal Sports Fditor \Vhcn long-time tvllssiss~ ipp1 '\tate hl·ad basebal l coach Lon l'nlk spoke an estimated cnmd of 200 at· the st-cond-annual First Pitch Dumcr on Jan. 22 at I• c 1 c· · L ~ust entra ommuniiY, College. he issued th~ Diamond Warriors u fe\v. challenges. Surpri singly to thosq unfamiliar with the Bulldog skipper. none had anythind to do with repeating a~ MACJC state champions. "We have all these 18, 19. like a Greek god. Now he looks like a Greek restaurant." And no Polk speech comes without a not-so-friendly ref– e rence to the NCAA. "The NCAA is not a friend ofcollege baseball," Polk satd. "But there arc no umpires and no NCAA people here, so we're going to get along great." The ECCC Warriors open their season on Feb. 5 at I p.m.

,;\leeting Mississippi State head baseball coach .Ron Polk (cen– ter) are jo'efHill (left) and J ohn Ross Griffin . both of Decatu~ ·· .· Photo by MartJ' StamfJer

Polk... Contin ued from 2B .•. " I have great respect for the city of Oxford," Polk said. " It's a great place to visit, not to stay. Whenever I'm there, J ahvays ask for a room without a view." He also recognized former MSU Bulldog and ECCC Warrior Hank Thoms. ..When he played, he looked

in Decatur against Alabama Southern Community College Warrior coach Nell Holl iman announced several improvements to the Clark– Gay Baseball Complex Among them are 17 flag poles representing each of the MACJC member schools. A new entrance is currently being constructed and 58 chairback seats have been installed for the '08 campaign.

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, Carthage, Miss. , January 31, 2008

Stokes signs ECCC baseball scholarship Quin Stokes, seated at right, of

Diamond Warrior David Luke. Stokes' par· ents are Darlene Stokes, seated left, and Joe Quin Stokes. Standing from left are ECCC head baseball coach Neal Holliman and assistants Michael Avalon and Roberto Martinez. The Diamond Warriors are the defending MACJC State Baseball Champions. (EC Photo) NESHOBADEMOCRAr _____ __ N8NTONRECORD ______ MERIDIAN STAR_______ CLARION-LEDGER--------------- fMPACT __________________________

Carthage has signed a national letter of intent to continue his baseball career at East Central Community College in Deca tur. Stokes was welcomed to the 2008· 09 Diamond Warrior squad during a schol– arship signing ceremony held January 15 on the ECCC campus. His coach is former

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~~------------ SCOTT COUNTY TIMES ------- ------ IJN!ON APPEAL------------- WINSTON COUNTf JOURNAL ___ _ S.PfRIT OF MORTON ---------- -- OTHER __________ ~---

EC basebaU squad opens season today Special to The Star N<>al Holliman

EC Baseball From Page' 81 "Once we got down to the core group that was willing to accept and adopt everything we were trying lo do. That team exploded and became very hard to beat, due in large part to their great character." Holliman is obviously anticipating another successful season, but his main objective in 2008 is for his Dia– mond Warriors to perform to the best of their ability when they get a new campaign under way today by hosting Alabama Southern. 'The goal for this year's team is the same as it will always be, that is to maximize our potential," he stated."Sure, we want to win a confer– ence and regional championship and advance to the (NJCAA) World Series \ to compete for a national title, but you .., never know what the year will hold." Several players return from last year's championship squad return. "We feel very fortunate to have ow:. entire middl.e returning with Chris Parkman at catcher, Brian Jones at shortstop, Jacob Casey at second base and Terrell Hendrix in center field,'' Holliman noted. "In addition, Josh Laf– ferty returns in left field, and Jesus Aleman and Gregory Stovall return on the mound and were conference starters for us as freshmen.'' Hendrix, is the top returning

slugger with a .409 average. He was also a constant threat on the bases and was successful on 28 of 31 attempts in garnering all-state honors. Jones batted .308 and had one clinger, seven doubles and 38 RBis. Casey, a former standout at Union High School, posted a .289 average. He had one home run, four doubles and 21 RBis. Parkman, a UWA transfer from Pulaski, was a constant stability behind the plate as he managed the Warrior pitching staff. Lafferty, who hails from Quitman High School, was a starter in left field and completed the season with two homers, five dou– bles and 23 RBls. Aleman, another UWA transfer, went 7-2 on the mound and had a 4.15 ~arned-run average. Neshoba Central product Stovall was 4-5 on the mound with a 3.48 ERA. Casey, Parkman, Lafferty and Aleman will also serve as 2008 team captains. ECCC fans will notice manv improvements to the Clark/Gay Memorial Baseball Complex, which Holliman considers an "ongoing project." Improvements since last spring include the addition of 17 flag poles which will display flags representing each community and junior college learn, the MACJC and NJCAA; con-

struction of two decks - one located beyond the left field fence ·•tor fans to enjoy and create an exciting atmos– phere'' and one placed along the first base side for use by EC faculty and others; the area underneath the stands has been enclosed with bricks, new railings have been installed, along with a walking hand rail through the middle of the stands; and artwork has been added to the dugouts and club house located on the south end of the gym Holliman said 58 chairback scats will be placed along the concrete area behind home plate by opening day. "We still have several pr<>;ect::; that are in the planning and some that are under way," Holliman said. "We have continually worked to improve our facility because it is obviously a great asset in recruiting." Holliman also offered praise to his assistants, Michael Avalon and Roberto Martinez "for helping us con– tinue to develop the program into the best it can be." Plans for the today's season– opening doubleheader against Alabama Southern include a recogni– tion ceremony for members of the 2007 state championship squad. Holliman said team co-captain Jordan Robinson of Union is sched– uled to throw the ceremonial first pitch to start the 1 p.m. opener. z ~ -' "'- ~ 2! 0 ~ - :z w 0 0 ~ ~ 0.. u ~ UJ (!) 0 Cl.. z u.. cc cC( (.) cC( 0 0 ~ :I: 1- z 1- 1- oc: w 1- D- 0 (/) oc w 0.. ~ 0 :z :r: 0.. .::( 0 z :?' 0.. 1- ret 0 (/) ::J ..... 00 0

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who ah;o gar– nered Coach of the Year honors ._ ~·rot­ lowing h1" im– tial season as the Diamond Warrior skipper, said there's no doubt

last . Holliman

yt>ar's . "(•arned everything they got.'' "To be 13-U$ at one pqinl in the season and f<>r that group of young men to pullthemst'lv~s·out of that hok and win a dHtmpi– onship was a tremt~nduus an·om– plishment." Holliman said. "I don't know if l have ever been more proud of a group of nwn. not bt·cause theywon the conference champion.,hip, but just because they bought into what we were trying to do m~d all got on lhe same pagt•." See EC Baseball Page B3 team

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JUCO Baseba ll ---------------------------- r East Central earns split on the road at FayeHe

from staff reports Deon WJiham:-. lashed out a pair of hit". including a homerun as vi.;;iting Ea~t Central Commu– nity College outpaced homes– tandin.~ Fayette 9-7 in the opening game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. In the nightcap, Fayette bounced back. handing East Cen– tral its first loss of the season in a 9 7 setback. Starling pitcher Timothy Mal– oney, a former Northeast Laud– erdale standout, earn~d Ills first win of the season With seven strong innings.

Maloney allowed three earned runs on nine hits for the win. Offensively, Brian Jones col– lected three hits and a pair of RBI while Chris Parkman and ZeEr– icka Hall each banged out three hils. In game two, Carey Miller took the loss on the hill for the 3-1 War– riors, allowing sic earned in three innings of work. Terrell Hendrix paced EC with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate. The Warriors will return to action Monday, traveling to take on Jones County. -Brandon Walker

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NESHOBA DEMOCRAr----– N8NTONRECORD ~, ------- MERIDIAN STAR ..,!.j__ _ _ ____ CLARION-LEDGER---- - - IMPACT _______________

CARTHAGtNIAN--- - -– SCOTT COUNTY TIMES-- - - -- UNION APPEAL--- - ---- \.'VtNSTON COUNTY JOURNAL _ ____ SPIRIT OF MORTON - - ------ OTHER _______ ~--

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ECCC Diamond ' Varriors -~-

\The defending state champion East Central Community College Diamond Warriors begin the 2008 campaign by hosting Alabama Southern Tuesday, Feb. 5, In doubleheader action beginning at 1 p.m. at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex In Decatur. Team members and their respective high schools Include (first row, from left) infielder/outfielder Luke Walker (1), West Lauderdale; out– fielder Allen Cheek (2), Carroll Academy; right-handed pitcher/middle Infielder Brian Jones (3), Allen (Ky.) County; infielder Jack Edmondson (4), Nanlh Waiya; infielder/catcher Kylle Mlng (5), Louisville; right-handed pitcher/utility player Terrell Hendrix (6), East Oktlbbeha; outfielder ZeErlcka Hall (7), Carthage; outfielder Brandon Williams (9), Newton County; infielder/outfielder Deon Williams (10), Tuscaloosa County; and middle infielder Jacob Casey (11), Union; (second row, fron:t left) left-handed pitcher Jared Clark (12), Brandon; left-handed pitcher Timothy Mal– oney (14), Northeast Lauderdale; outfielder Clint Coleman (15), Louisville; right-handed pltch– ernnflelder Steven Barnes (16), Covington HS, Folson, La.; left-handed pitcher Gregory Stovall (17), Neshoba Central; outfielder Kyle Buckley (18), Newton County; outfieldernnfielder Josh Lafferty (19), Quitman; right-handed pitcher/utility player Robert Westbrook (20), Newton Coun– ty; left-handed pitcher Mack Creighton (21 ), Quitman; and catcher Chris Parkman (23), Raleigh (University of West Alabama transfer); and (third row, from left) outfieldernnflelder Kevin Moore (25), Southeast Lauderdale; right-handed pitcher Jesus Aleman (26), Belle Glade, Fla. (Univer– sity of West Alabama transfer); right-handed pitcher Carey Miller (28), Louisville; right-handed pitcher Daven Willis (30), Choctaw Central; right-handed pitcher Tyler Nicholson (34), Nashoba Central; coaches Michael Avalon, Neal Holliman (head) and Roberto Martinez; and managers Kevin Ripley of Union and Justin Joyner, Newton County.

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CARTHAGtNIAN ___ ___

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\\.in. Jones had rn-o douh!....., a single and collected RBis. He abo ~cored twice. Hall was credited with a double and :o singles. He also scored t\\·ice and had one RBL Parkman had three sm· gles and one RBL Deon w·illia:ms also had another productive dav as he home!'ed and si.rigled He a.Bo had two RBis and scored once. Southpaw Timothy Maloney of Southeast Lauderdale was the win· ning pitcher. allowing five runs on nine hits through seYen innings. In the second game, Hendrix was the top hit– ter with a double and two singles. Jones, Coleman, Westbrook and Parkman also doubled. Coleman led in RBis with two. Carey Miller of Louisville took the loss for EC, allowing six runs on five hits through five innings. See ECCC. Page 2B

Gregory Stovall of Neshoba Central took the loss for EC, allowing two runs on two hits. He fanned sL'< batters and walked sLx. EC. nmv 4·2 on the young season, will host this weekend's invita· tional tournament at the Clark-Gay Baseball Com– plex in Decatur. Partici– pating teams i~clud~ Kaskasia (Centralia, Illi– nois), Baton Rouge, Gulf Coast. North'vvest. North· east. Wallace-Hanceville and East Central.

who each doubled and singled. Chris Parkman and Brandon Williams belted two singles each and Josh Lafferty had a double. New·ton County's Robert Westbrook was the winning pitcher. allowing three runs on five hits through seven innings. He fanned three batters and walked two. In the second contest, EC managed just t\VO hits - singles by Jacob Casey of Union and Brian Jones.

ECCC frJn. P.1_s.: ~B

ECCCJones East Central Commu– nitv College's Diamond \\'arriors 5Put a double· header at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville l\londay. win· ning the frrst game by a 7· 4 margin and falling in the second contest 2-0. In the opener. EC was led offensively by Brian Jones and Luke Walker

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NESHOBA DEMOCRA! ____ NSVTONRECORD ~ MERIDIAN STAR______ CLARION-LEDGER _ _ _ ___ IMPACT ___________________

CA.RTHAGlNIAN ---------------- SCOTT COUNTY TIMES______ UNION APPEAL-- ----- - WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL _ _ _ _ SP'IRIT OF MORTON ------------------ OTHER ____________ ~-----

WEEK OF ___,J_- U- dX I .. I .

ECCC baseball

starts 4-2 The defending state champion East Central Community College Dia– mond Warriors began the 2008 campaign on a positn·e note by sweep– ing \isiting Alabama Southern Community College Tuesday. Feb. 5. , East Central won the opener by a G-5 score on Dean Williams' solo home run in the bottom of the tenth. and held on for a 9-7 decision in the nightcap. DiamondWarrior head coach Neal Holliman said he was pleased with his squad's performance. "We had a positive day for the opener with a great crowd on hand to watch the Diamon<;lWar– riors begin the season," Holliman said. "We were pleased \vith our efforts and feel like we got off to a good start beating a very qualified opponent in Alabama Southern." Also blasting home runs in addition to Williams were second baseman Jacob Casey of Union and catcher Chris Parkman. Shortstop Brian Jones led EC at the plate with a double and two singles. He also collected an RBI and scored once.

Jones was credited with the win in relief. He allowed just one hit and no runs over the final .. two-and-a-third innings. Robert Westbrook was the starter for EC, allow– ing four runs on four hits through five innings of work. He also fanned two batters and walked one. Jones also led EC at the plate in the second con– test with three singles and four RBis. Hendrix homered and singled and also knocked in four runs. Right-fielder ZeEri– ca Hall doubled and sin– gled and added an RBI: Williams and Parkman also had singles each. Jared Clark of Bran– don got the win for EC in the second contest. He allowed two runs on four hits in two and two-third innings of middle relief.

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Williams, Casey and Parkman also singled. Casey also scored twice and had one RBI. Park– man collected two RBis

CARTHAGtNIAN SCOTT COUNTY TIM

NESHOBADEMOCRA~-------- NENTONRECORD_~( ______ MERIDIAN STAR______ CLARION-LEDGER_______ IMPACT _________________

UNION APPEAL and scored twice. VVfNSTON COUNTY JOURNAL ____ SPIRIT OF MORTON _ _ _ _____ OTHER ----------------~-----

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WEEKOF

DiamondWarriors win three of four Th~ L1' Central Comm- unit> Co!lcge Dtamond Warnor. ol)encd

Diamond Warnors begm the :,cason:· said EC second-year I ead coach Neal Holl iman. "\\'c \\Cre plea ed with our etrorb and ft:cl ltkc we got otr to a good start beating a \CI") qualified opponent 111 Alabama Southt:rn." Also blasting home runs in adJiuon to Willian , a product of Tuscaloosa County lltgh chool, '"ere second baseman Jacob C a~e) of Union and ~ c~ ..- Chri-; Parkman. ')n lflstop Brwn Jones led ' ( · ·'1c platt: '' tth a double and l\\O ... inglc~. Wtlltams. Casey, and Parkman abo ~tngled. Casey abo 'l'On:J I\\ i~:c and had one RBI. Parkman collected two RBb and scored twice. Jonc... \\as credited with the \\in tn relict: lie allowed just one bit and no runs over the tina! ' 2 I 3 mmngs He fanned four battt:r:. and walked none. Jones also led EC at the

plate in the second contest wtth three singles and four RBls. Terrell Hendrix home– red and singled and knocked 111 four runs. R1ght fielder ZeErica llal l doubled and singled and added an RBI Williams and Parkman also had singles each. Hendrix scored four runs. Jared Clark got the \\Ill for EC. He allowed two mns on four hits in 2 2/3 tonings of middle relief. lie fanned two batters and walked none. Jones pitched the final 2 I 3 innings. aiiO\\ mg JUst two hits and no runs. lie fanned three batters. ECCC 9-7 Bevill State 6-9 EC split its doubleheader Saturday at Fayette. Ala. Shortstop Brian Jones, right lielder ZeErica llall, and catcher Chris Parkman had three hits each to lead EC. Jones had two doubles, a single and collected two R,Bls. He also scored t\\ tcc. f Iall was credited with a dou– ble and two singles. He also scored twtce and had one

RBI Parkman had three sin– gles and one RBL Deon Williams homered and smgled 1,;.) dnve in a pair of runs. Singles wen: also rt.:corded by Terrell llendrix. Robert \Vcstbrook. and Kyhc Mmg. Snuthpaw Ttmothy Maloney was the \\ mning pttcher, aiiO\\ mg five runs on nine hits through seven innmgs. t-.laloney 1anncd two batters and \\alkcd two. Davcn Willis got the save. He allowed one run on one hit, f~tnned two and walked one. In the second game. Hcndrtx \\.as the top hitter \'dlh a double and two sin– gles. Jones. Coleman, Westbrook. and Parkman also doubled. Smglcs were recorded by Luke Walker, Brandon Willtams. nnd Jack Edmonson. Coleman led m RBis with two. Car~.:y Miller took the loss for I C. allowmg six runs on five hits thmugh five tnnmgs.

thetr 2008 baseball from se

A.PPEARED tN:

CARTHAGINIAN -------------------- SCOTT COUNTY TtMES ------------------- UNION APPEAL / ----------~-------------- VVlNSTON COUNTf JOURNAL ---------- SPIRIT OF MORTON ----------------------- OTHER ----------------~-------

NESHOBADEMOCRA!-----------– NEWTON RECORD ----------------- MERIDIAN STAR ------------------- CLARION-LEDGER-------- !MPACT __________________

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WEEK OF

ECCC hosts Baseball Invitational From Press Reports All games are seven innings uled for nine innings. except the East Central/North- Admission is $5 each day. Tour– east matchup, which is sched- ney passes are available for $10.

A full weekend ofbaseball com– petition 1S scheduled February 15-17 when Ea.:.~ Central Com– munity College serves as host for an invitational tournament at the ClarkiGay Baseball Complex on the Decatur campus. The seven-team community college tournament kicks off Fri– day when E~"L Central hosts Kaskasloa of Centralia. illinois, at 11 a.m Ka.ska;:kia and Baton Rouge battle a: 2 p m. followed by the East Central/Baton Rouge matcllup at 5 p.m Saturday action begms with Gulf Coast and Ba:on Rouge at 11 a.m. followe

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