No. 11 Pearl River splits with Holmes in two defensive battles

Richard Gleber - PRCC Sports Media

GOODMAN, Miss. — Solid defense and timely hitting were the day's theme for the No. 11 Pearl River softball team and the Holmes Bulldogs as the teams split a MACCC double-header Saturday at Holmes. The Wildcats won game one 3-1, handing Holmes their first home loss of the season. Holmes won game two, 2-1, with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh.

“We came out hot and focused in our first game of the day, and our pitching was able to keep them off-balance to win the game," PRCC head coach Christie Meeks on the Wildcats split with Holmes. "In game two, Holmes executed at the right time, and we made a few critical mistakes that cost us."

GAME ONE

The Wildcats (28-7 overall; 12-2 MACCC) put runs on the board early and relied on solid pitching and defense to close out a 3-1 victory over Holmes (18-14 overall; 6-8 MACCC).

Wildcat sophomore Destiney Gary (Greenwell Springs, La.; Central) tripled to right field and later scored on a passed ball to put the Wildcats up 1-0.

The Wildcat defense produced a quick three-up, three-down bottom of the first. Starter Natalie Herrington (Petal) picked up her first strikeout to close out the inning.

Klair Cuevas (Poplarville; Hancock) got the Wildcat offense going in the top of the second with a double to deep center. Natalie Toups (Brandon; Clinton Christian Academy) advanced Cuevas to second with a bunt. CharLee Meadows (Piave; Greene County) laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Cuevas to increase the lead to 2-0. Morgan Lavergne (Baton Rouge; La; Central) followed Meadows with a line drive single to center field to score Toups, 3-0.

After the second inning, both teams put up solid defensive efforts for the remainder of the game.