MGCCC baseball splits with Co-Lin

Clint Dempster struck out 10 against Co-Lin but the Bulldogs dropped game one 3-1 against Co-Lin Apr. 4.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College split an MACJC South Division doubleheader with Co-Lin Saturday in Perkinston, dropping the first game 3-1 but rebounding to take the nightcap 7-2.

Gulf Coast (22-10, 9-5) lost the opener despite a standout pitching performance by Clint Dempster. The sophomore from Thibodaux, La. struck out 10 (86 in 2009) Co-Lin batters and gave up no earned runs in five-and 1/3 innings of work. However, three Bulldog errors and Co-Lin pitcher Brandon Jones doomed Gulf Coast as Jones only gave up three hits to earn a complete-game win.

The Bulldogs fought back in game two behind pitcher Kenneth Atwood (5-0), who gave up two runs and struck out four in a little more than four innings on the mound. Luke Briley (2-1) picked up the save, his second of the season. At the plate, Jeremy Hill drove in two and added to his .417 batting average with three hits, while Patrick Kirkland belted a solo homerun and Matt Ross drove in three.

"The big thing with them is mental preparation," said Gulf Coast head coach Cooper Farris. "They've got to prepare for a grind because it is a grind, it's not something you just sprint through."

Gulf Coast travels to Jones Tuesday to face the Bobcats at 4 p.m. in Ellisville.