DECATUR, Miss. — East Central Community College opened a three-game stretch Thursday with a strong offensive performance before dropping a pair of games Friday against St. Johns River State College and Coastal Alabama-South at Decatur.
The Warriors began the weekend Thursday afternoon with a 20-11 victory over St. Johns River State College, using consistent pressure throughout the lineup to pull away as the game progressed. East Central scored in six different innings and finished with 21 hits, turning a close early contest into a decisive win.
After falling behind early, the Warriors seized momentum with a five-run fourth inning to take control. DeMarkez West powered the offense with six RBIs, delivering timely extra-base hits as East Central built separation. Briceton Johnson finished 4-for-5 with four runs scored and two RBIs and added a single, double, triple and home run during the game.
Jacob Wooten and Ryan Nelson each collected three hits in the win. Wooten drove in three runs from the top of the order, while Nelson added two RBIs and crossed the plate three times. Mason Hickman chipped in three hits and three RBIs as East Central continued to apply pressure on the bases throughout the afternoon.
On the mound, the Warriors pieced together the game with multiple arms. After allowing early runs, the pitching staff settled in and limited additional damage as the offense continued to extend the lead. Ethan Burton earned the win after delivering 2.1 scoreless innings in relief to close out the contest.
East Central returned to action Friday morning for a rematch with St. Johns River State College but was unable to complete the sweep, falling 17-11 in a high-scoring battle. The Warriors again showed offensive consistency, scoring 11 runs on 12 hits, but a decisive late inning swung the game in St. Johns River State's favor.
East Central built momentum early and surged ahead with a five-run fourth inning. Pablo Roque highlighted the rally with a three-run home run, while Ryan Nelson later added a home run of his own and finished with three RBIs. Mason Hickman contributed two hits and two stolen bases, and Nelson scored three times.
Despite the strong showing at the plate, St. Johns River State erupted for a 12-run seventh inning, erasing East Central's lead and pulling away late.
The Warriors closed the weekend Friday afternoon against Coastal Alabama-South, dropping a 16-7 decision despite another competitive effort offensively. East Central scored first and added runs across the middle innings, finishing with 12 hits and six walks.
Jacob Wooten drove in two runs, Hickman homered and scored three times, and Jackson White went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. East Central plated runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but Coastal Alabama-South's early offensive surge created a gap the Warriors were unable to overcome.
Across the three games, East Central totaled 38 runs and 45 hits, showcasing depth throughout the lineup and offensive consistency. While the Warriors finished the stretch 1-2, the weekend highlighted the group's scoring potential as the season continues.