PERKINSTON, MISS. — Following a week break, the No. 16 Pearl River softball team struggled to find consistency in a series loss to rival Gulf Coast in Perkinston on Wednesday. 

The Wildcats outhit the home-standing Bulldogs in game one but could not find the timely play on defense in a high-scoring 9-7 loss. Pearl River relied on solid defense in game two but could not generate enough offense to overcome a hot-hitting Bulldog team in a tight 2-1 defeat. 

GAME ONE
Pearl River (30-13 overall; 14-6 MACCC) looked like it was in for a dominant outing to start the day. Natalee Eaves (Louisville; Choctaw Central) and Caroline Lindsey (Gulfport) earned a pair of RBI singles before Caitlyn Riche (Walker, La.) drove a two-run double into the gap to send the Wildcats ahead 4-0. Unfortunately, Gulf Coast (32-15; 13-9) chipped away in each of the first two innings, scoring two runs in each frame to tie things up at 4-4.

The Wildcats again took an advantage in the third inning. Cailey Pervel (Carriere; Pearl River Central) singled, and Lindsey came through again by belting a two-run homer over the wall in left field, 6-4. The blast was the captain's 11th home run of the year.

A two-out baserunner was erased by Pearl River in the bottom of the third as Lindsey's throw to the covering Eaves was perfect for a caught stealing. Things didn't go as well in the fourth inning as Gulf Coast used three hits, a walk and an error to put four runs into the score column and snatch an 8-6 lead. An additional run scored in the fifth to give MGCCC a three-run advantage, 9-6.

An Eaves RBI single brought Pearl River one run closer and brought the tying run to the plate in Pervel. The freshman put a charge into a ball but it was caught deep in right field to end the game, 9-7.

Eaves finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Lindsey was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a long ball. Riche drove in two runs on her lone hit of the game.

Ballard Kraft (Liberty; Amite School Center) tossed the first inning of the afternoon, giving up four runs — two of which were unearned. Lizzie Meeks (Ripley; Pine Grove) threw five innings, giving up five runs with only one earned.

GAME TWO
Both teams relied on defense in game two, as neither team could generate offense early. Wildcat pitcher Ana-Grace Garcia (Baton Rouge, La.; St. Joseph's) kept the Bulldog batters at bay early, registering three strikeouts and only allowing one batter in the first two innings. 

The Pearl River offense struck first in the top of the third inning when Peyton Hoffmayer (Ocean Springs) sent a laser over the right field fence for a solo home run, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. 

The Wildcat defense bent but did not break in the middle innings, holding off multiple threats by the Bulldog offense. In the bottom of the third, Garcia was able to work out of a jam stranding two Gulf Coast runners on base. The Bulldogs threatened again in the bottom of the fourth. Gulf Coast had runners on first and third with two outs. After a steal attempt by the runner on first, second baseman Riche had a perfect throw to catch the runner out at home.  

The Bulldogs tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Following a walk to open the inning, shortstop Kai Goodman (New Orleans, La.; John Curtis) appeared to have snagged a low line drive and doubled up the Bulldogs. After conferring on the play, the officials determined the line drive by the Gulf Coast batter was not caught in the air. The batter was called out at first, and the runner advanced to second. Gulf Coast capitalized in the next at-bat, sending a single to left field to tie the game 1-1. 

With two runners aboard in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Bulldogs took game two and the series with a line drive to centerfield, 2-1. 

Hoffmayer was 1-for-2 with a home run. Garcia struck out five and allowed eight hits and one earned run in 6 2/3 innings. 

NEXT UP
Pearl River returns to Wildcat Stadium Friday for a 1/3 p.m. doubleheader against East Miss.

TUNE IN
All home Pearl River baseball games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans with Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.

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