POPLARVILLE, Miss. — A pair of big first innings were the difference for No. 15 Pearl River against Holmes Saturday at Wildcat Stadium as the Wildcats took the opener 7-2 and run-ruled Holmes in game two 8-0 in five innings.
"A lot of people had great days at the plate, and I was really proud of that," head coach Christie Meeks said. "We just need to keep getting better, getting after it and keeping our heads on straight as we move into the next couple of games."
GAME ONE
Although Holmes (10-14 overall; 1-9 MACCC) scored the day's first run, Pearl River (22-9; 6-2) made a big response in the bottom half of the first inning. The big run frame couldn't have gotten started without a little history being made first.
Kai Goodman (New Orleans, La.; John Curtis) entered the day two stolen bases shy of PRCC's program record, sitting at 33. The freshman walked to open things, and the fireworks began. She was off and running on the first pitch and slid into second to tie the record and instantly swiped third to set the record with her 35th stolen base of the season. When the throw to third came down, it got away from the third baseman and allowed Goodman to score the opening run.
"I didn't even know I was going to break the record," Goodman said. "I don't care about that stuff because this is a team sport. It does feel good to say that I've got the record because it wasn't even a goal of mine."
RECORD BROKEN! Kai Goodman swipes her 34th and 35th bases of the year in the first inning to become Pearl River's single-season stolen base record holder! ��
— PRCC Athletics (@PRCCAthletics) March 22, 2025
Congratulations, Kai!#RRR�� pic.twitter.com/dy3hQW1Nqn
Pearl River really opened things up a few batters later, with Caroline Lindsey (Gulfport) delivering the big blow. The team captain stepped to the dish and ripped a three-run homer off the scoreboard in left center field, 4-1. Maeli Ben (Conehatta; Newton County) singled a batter later and scored when Peyton Hoffmayer (Ocean Springs) sent a triple down the left field line. Batting for the second time in the frame, Goodman picked up an RBI by sending a single into left field, 6-1.
The Wildcats picked up their seventh run of the day in the fourth. With Goodman on third base, Natalee Eaves (Louisville; Choctaw Central) sent a fly ball into center field for a sacrifice fly, 7-1. Holmes got a run back in the sixth, but the Wildcats closed things out to secure the game-one victory 7-2.
Ballard Kraft (Liberty; Amite School Center) made the start, allowing one run on zero hits and one walk.
Goodman had a day for the Wildcats, earning the win in the circle by throwing five innings of one-run, two-hit softball. She walked one and struck out four. At the plate, Goodman was 2-for-3 with two runs, one RBI, one walk and three stolen bases.
"She's a special kid. We're blessed that she came here," Meeks said of Goodman. "We knew she would create some chaos on the bases, but what a great job she's done to break this record — and she did it in the first inning today."
Ben was the only other Wildcat with a multi-hit day, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
GAME TWO
Starting pitcher Lizzie Meeks (Ripley; Pine Grove) needed just 10 pitches in the first inning to send the Bulldogs back to the dugout, bringing up PRCC for what turned into a five-run outburst. Back-to-back walks to Goodman and Emmaleigh Theriot (Prairieville, La.; St. Amant) set up Eaves, who stung a two-run single into center field, 2-0. A Wildcat strikeout and a Lindsey double later, Ben smacked an RBI single. Hoffmayer capped off the inning with a two-run single, 5-0.
Meeks struck out the side in the second but had to work herself out of some trouble in the third. The first two Bulldogs of the frame reached on an error before she induced three weak-contact groundouts to end the threat. She faced the minimum in the fourth inning, using a double play to get it done.
Pearl River put the run-rule into effect in the fourth. Goodman and Eaves were aboard on singles before Cailey Pervel (Carriere; Pearl River Central) stung a two-run double into left field. Lindsey brought her home with a five-pitch RBI single, 8-0.
Meeks walked the leadoff batter in the fifth, but a strikeout and two groundouts wrapped up the game.
Meeks earned the win, throwing five one-hit, one-walk innings. She struck out three batters.
Eaves had a great game, going 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Goodman was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Lindsey was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Hoffmayer was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
NEXT UP
The Wildcats hit the road Tuesday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader against Hinds. The doubleheader will be livestreamed at HindsCCSports.net.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).
