MGCCC baseball splits at Southwest

SUMMIT---Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned a doubleheader split Sunday at Southwest to keep its post-season hopes alive.

The Bulldogs (23-17, 11-11) dropped game one 8-7 but came back to take the nightcap 7-4 and stay two games in front of Southwest in the win column in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot in the MACJC’S South Division.

In game one, Gulf Coast came from behind twice to within a run of the Bears but couldn’t take the lead. Jordan Mata (4-4) started the game and took the loss on the mound despite only giving up two earned runs. Ben Slaton paced the offense with three hits, Jody Harris had two hits, Dieter Hamilton doubled and drove in two nad Hunter Frierson homered.

Despite committing five errors in the nightcap, Gulf Coast got the 7-4 win as pitchers Stuart Holmes, Tyler Bray, and Daniel Wineski combined to hold down the Bears with Holmes (4-5) getting the win while Wineski picked up his fifth save.

Daniel Miles went 3-for-4 at the plate while J.C. Cassidy and Ben Slaton each had two hits.

The Bulldogs will hold Sophomore Day as they host Hinds Wednesday in the regular season finale with games at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.