Pearl River belts three homers on Opening Day split

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pearl River's batters looked to be in mid-season form Saturday, scoring 13 runs in two games to split their Opening Day doubleheader at the Pensacola State College Invitational.

Pearl River won its opener against Roane State 11-2 in five innings but stumbled late in a 4-2 loss against the host school.

"I think our kids came out and competed for all 12 innings today. They played really hard and competed every out, every at-bat, every pitch," PRCC coach Leigh White said. "They did a really good job just came up a little short in the second game despite having some opportunities.

"That's why we played these teams, to challenge us and see where we need to get better."

PRCC (1-1 overall) hit three homers on the day. Alyssa Pinero (Picayune) and Mary Grace Turner (Leakesville; Greene County) went yard in the opener against the Raiders. Jenna Comeaux (Pictured below- Lafayette, La.; Comeaux) hit one of her own against the Lady Pirates.

"I didn't expect to see the ball fly out of the park like that today," White said. "I know we have power from what our kids have been hitting off of coach pitching this week, but I didn't expect to see that. This team came out and swung the bats."

White was particularly proud with how her team played in the field, playing clean ball for 12 innings.

"Our defense went the day without an error," White said. "No complaints there for sure."

PEARL RIVER 11, ROANE STATE 2 (5 inn.)

Grace Stringer (Moselle; South Jones) shined in her collegiate debut, striking out five against seven hits and two walks in five innings to earn the win.

"For her first college outing, that kid got out there and competed. She owned it," White said. "She even dove for a ball out of the circle. That gives you chills right there."

In addition to Pinero and Turner's homers, PRCC tallied seven more extra-base hits against the Raiders. Brooke Fagan (Kiln; Hancock) hit a triple and Comeaux hit two doubles, while Turner, BreAnna Corkern (Watson, La.; Live Oak), Hannah Rasberry (Lucedale; George County), Elizabeth Taggard (Picayune) and Turner added doubles of their own. Turner led PRCC with three hits and four RBIs. Pinero and Comeaux drove in two runs each, while Fagan and Rasberry each scored twice.

PENSACOLA 4, PEARL RIVER 2

Rylee Swilley (Kiln; Hancock) received praise from her coach after scattering two hits and two walks while allowing one run in four innings against the host school.

"I thought Rylee did good," White said. "She kept Pensacola off. She was jamming a lot of hitters. Pensacola's first five batters are lethal, but Rylee did a good job keeping them off balance."

Comeaux led PRCC with two hits in the second game. Corkern, Fagan and Pinero all added doubles.

WILDCAT INVITATIONAL

Pearl River returns to the diamond next weekend with the Wildcat Invitational. PRCC will play Marion Military Institute and LSU-Eunice on Friday at 2 and 6 p.m. respectively. The Lady Wildcats will then play Baton Rouge in a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m. All PRCC home games this year will be broadcast on PRCCAthletics.com. Anyone with a Roku device can also watch the game by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from the app store.

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