PENSACOLA, Fla. — No. 4 Pearl River went up against the top team in NJCAA Division I baseball Monday. Despite making their season debut against a team that had already played in 11 contests, the Wildcats went toe to toe with the Indians, falling in Game 1, 5-3, and Game 2, 4-0. 

The doubleheader was added to the schedule on Sunday after PRCC's original season opener against Bevill State was rained out.

GAME 1: CHIPOLA 5, PEARL RIVER 3 (7 INN.)
Chipola (11-2 overall) took a 1-0 lead in the third on a double steal of home and then tacked on another run in the fourth on a solo home run.

Freshman second baseman Taylor Woodcock (Pass Christian; West Harrison) helped limit the damage by starting a double play to get out of the inning.

The Wildcats (0-2) tied the game 2-2 in the fifth on a Nick Skaggs (Biloxi) RBI single and a Bryson Ware (Gluckstadt; Germantown) groundout.

PRCC jumped ahead 3-2 in the sixth on a Dalton Cummins (Seminary) RBI single.

Chipola regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs. 

PRCC was able to get runners on the corners in the seventh but was unable to push across the tying run.

Seven different Wildcats recorded a hit, with Kasey Donaldson (Gulfport; West Harrison) and Eric Newsom (Madison; Germantown) each tallying doubles.

Trace McNabb (Foxworth; West Marion) started the game, allowing two runs (one earned) in three innings with two strikeouts. Evan Bynum (Soso; West Jones) threw two scoreless frames and Reid Golemon (Moselle; South Jones) recorded the final two outs. Kole Alford (McComb; North Pike) took the loss, allowing three runs (one earned) in 1/3 of an inning.

GAME 2: CHIPOLA 4, PEARL RIVER 0 (7 INN.)
The Wildcats and Indians were deadlocked in a pitcher's duel in Game 2. Freshman Jacob Scherer (Mandeville; St. Paul's) took a no-hitter into the fourth Monday and finished with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings in his debut.

Chipola broke the tie in the sixth on a steal of home. The Indians tacked on three more runs in the inning with a two-out double.

The Wildcats' best opportunity to get back in the game came in the sixth when they loaded the bases on walks from Michael Wein (Alpharetta, Ga.; King's Ridge Christian) and Cummins, and a single from Britt McKay (Wiggins; Ocean Springs), but PRCC failed to cash in.

Scherer was hit with the loss, allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings. He also struck out seven against four walks and two hits.

Landon Gartman (Bogue Chitto; Enterprise) allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings, striking out two against one hit and one walk. Wein, McKay and Graham Crawford (Sumrall) all had hits for PRCC. Wein and Ware both walked twice. 

NATIONAL RANKINGS
Pearl River remained at No. 4 in the NJCAA Division II poll, which was announced Monday. Chipola actually climbed a spot to No. 1 in the D-I poll during Monday's doubleheader.

HOW TO TUNE IN
All home events are broadcast on PRCCAthletics.com and PRCCMedia.com. Anyone who has an Amazon Fire or Roku device can stream PRCC broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" Channel from the app store. Conference games can also be heard on WRJW 1320 AM, WRJWRadio.com or by downloading the WRJW app. 

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).