POPLARVILLE, Miss. — No. 2 Pearl River had to fight for it in both games Friday afternoon against Mississippi Delta but battled to get the job done, securing its third consecutive MACCC sweep. PRCC came from behind in game one to win 8-2 and tossed a shutout in game two 6-0. 

"With the wind blowing like it was today, the kicker for both sides was who could throw more strikes. We knew it would be tough to generate runs," head coach Michael Avalon said. "I was proud of our guys for not letting the circumstance beat us and finding a way to get two wins. We showed a lot of toughness."

GAME ONE
Pearl River (29-5 overall; 9-1 MACCC) struggled to get the bats going in the first five innings of the day against Mississippi Delta (5-18; 2-8). Starting pitcher Patrick Spencer Jr. (Greenville; Washington School) managed to keep the Trojans off the scoresheet through three innings before giving up a run in the fourth. PRCC turned to Drew Harrison (Madison; Germantown) in the fifth, and a miscue allowed MDCC to plate another, 2-0. Harrison was great in the sixth, striking out three of four batters.

Things started to click offensively in the sixth as PRCC scored four runs to take the lead. With Jackson Hood (Madison; Germantown) and Jaxon Milam (Phenix City, Ala.; Glenwood Academy) in scoring position, Topher Jones (Hernando) smashed a ball the opposite way and over the head of the right fielder for a two-run double. A few batters later, Chap Cook (Canton; Canton Academy) drew a pinch-hit plate appearance and crushed a ball along the ground and off the glove of the diving first baseman for a two-run single, 4-2.

Colin Jenkins (Mt. Olive; Simpson Academy) took the mound in the seventh and dazzled over the next three innings of work, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out four.

Four additional PRCC runs scored in the eighth. The Wildcats had two runners aboard for Keegan Giger (Petal). The left-handed hitter hit the ball off the handle, and it slowly rolled to the third baseman. He fielded it and threw to first base, but it wasn't in time. Jones and Ethan Garner (Gulfport) never checked up, and both scored 6-2. Caston Thompson (Jayess; Brookhaven Academy) followed by roping a ball into the gap for a two-run double, 8-2.

Jenkins finished off the game in the ninth to secure the win.

Spencer Jr. finished with 3 1/3 innings pitched, allowing one run on two hits and four walks. He struck out one. Harrison earned the win with 2 2/3 innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits and a walk. Jenkins earned the rare three-inning save, allowing just two hits and a walk. He punched out four.

Giger, Thompson and Jones each had two-hit games. Giger, Thompson, Jones and Cook each had two RBIs. Jacob Keys (Brandon) walked four times.

GAME TWO
Pearl River's game two starting pitcher Jacob Johnson (Carriere; Pearl River Central) was on another level against the Trojans, allowing just one hit and hitting two batters over six innings of work.

Johnson's efforts on the mound were rewarded in the fourth and fifth innings as PRCC scored three runs in each frame. In the fourth, Garner, Tyrese Johnson (West Point) and Connor Dyess (Carriere; Pearl River Central) singled to load the bases, bringing up Giger. The second baseman jumped on a pitch, getting the barrel out early and roping a ball down the right-field line for a pair of RBIs. A little bit later, Dyess pulled off one of the most impressive plays in the game, scoring on a straight steal of home, 3-0.

One inning later, Hood jumped on the very first pitch thrown to him and sent it flying through the heavy crosswind and over the wall in left field for a solo shot, 4-0. The next two runs scored on a Trojan miscue. PRCC had two runners in scoring position, and Dyess hit a slow roller to the pitcher. He fielded it cleanly, but his throw to first was wild, and both runners scored, 6-0.

Johnson gave way to Carson Fair (Southaven) in the seventh, and the right-handed flamethrower retired three of the four batters he faced to close the contest out.

Johnson's final line in the win was six innings pitched, with one hit, zero runs and four strikeouts. Fari punched out one in one inning of work.

"I was just throwing strikes and letting the defense work," Johnson said. "I had a couple of outings where my velocity was down. When I get more velocity, I can induce weaker contact. That's what I tried to do today."

Garner was the lone Wildcat with multiple hits, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Giger was 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

NEXT UP
The Wildcats head to Meridian Tuesday for a 3/6 p.m. doubleheader against the Eagles. The game will be livestreamed at MCCEagles.live.

Games will also be available over the air in Pearl River County by tuning into 1320-AM and 106.9 FM. The radio broadcast is also available at WRJWRadio.com and by downloading the WRJW app.

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