POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Going into Friday, No. 14 Pearl River and No. 25 Itawamba were deadlocked at eight wins apiece since 2017. That wasn't the case Friday afternoon as the Wildcats run-ruled the Indians 8-0 in five innings on both ends of a doubleheader.

PRCC has now won 12 contests in a row and sits one game out of first place in the MACCC at 14-2. PRCC also secured its 30th win of the year with the sweep.

"In conference play, you have to be prepared every time you take the field," head coach Christie Meeks said. "You've got to be ready for every single pitch. I'm really proud of this team for coming together and accomplishing what they have done lately. It's been fun to watch."

GAME ONE
Pearl River's (30-9 overall; 14-2 MACCC)) Lizzie Meeks (Ripley; Pine Grove) set the first six Itawamba (22-14; 7-10) hitters down in order to start the day, setting PRCC up for some damage in the bottom of the second. Alexa Womack (Prairieville, La.; Dutchtown) ripped an RBI double into left field and came around to score shortly after on an Emmaleigh Theriot (Prairieville, La.; St. Amant) double. Cailey Pervel (Carriere; Pearl River Central) provided the next blow, sending a ball into right field for a single. The ball got away from the Indian outfielder and allowed Pervel to move all the way to third, driving in a pair in the process, 4-0.

Meeks made it nine consecutive outs in the third. The right-hander forced the 10th hitter she faced to ground out before the Indians broke up the perfect game with a single. Meeks closed out the frame without any damage following a caught stealing and a groundout.

The Wildcats put a close to the game in the bottom of the fifth. Two runners were on base for Womack, and the sophomore delivered again — smashing a three-run homer for her first collegiate long ball, 7-0. Three batters later, Natalee Eaves (Louisville; Choctaw Central) walked the game off with an RBI double, ending the game by the run rule, 8-0.

Meeks earned the win after throwing five innings of scoreless one-hit softball. She did not walk a batter and struck out five.

Womack was 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs. She hit a double and a home run. Peyton Hoffmayer (Ocean Springs) and Theriot also had two hits. Pervel drove in a pair.

GAME TWO
Although the Wildcats didn't score in the first inning, PRCC scored in each inning afterward. In the bottom of the second, Caitlyn Riche (Walker, La.) and Womack picked up singles before scoring on a double off the bat of Goodman, 2-0.

Ana-Grace Garcia (Baton Rouge, La.; St. Joseph's) sent all three batters ICC brought to the plate back to the dugout in the third to put the Wildcats right back at the dish. Pearl River capitalized on a miscue by Itawamba as Caroline Lindsey (Gulfport) ripped a line drive to the center fielder that was dropped, 3-0.

In the fourth, Itawamba nearly made some noise. The first batter walked, and the second singled. A sacrifice bunt allowed both runners to get into scoring position, but Garcia fired off nine pitches to pick up two strikeouts and close the frame.

Hoffmayer sent her sixth home run of the year out of the yard in the fourth inning, ripping a solo shot over the center field wall. The home run party continued in the fifth. Eaves smacked her second home run of the year and first inside Wildcat Stadium for a run, 5-0. Following a Lindsey walk, Maeli Ben (Conehatta; Newton County) pushed PRCC ahead 7-0 with a two-run homer over the left field wall. Anna Kate Rounsaville (Gulfport) and Kirsten Williams (Saucier; West Harrison) drew walks, and Womack loaded the bases with a walk. One pitch later, Goodman ended the game with a single, 8-0.

Garcia threw five scoreless innings to earn the win. She scattered three hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Eaves went 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs and an RBI. Goodman was the only other Wildcat with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. 

NEXT UP
Pearl River heads to Copiah-Lincoln Tuesday evening for a 4/6 p.m. doubleheader against Copiah-Lincoln. The games will be livestreamed at colinathletics.com/watch.

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