DECATUR, Miss. — East Central Community College capped a dominant weekend at the plate and on the mound with three victories over Lansing Community College, a stretch highlighted by head coach Neal Holliman earning the 600th win of his coaching career.
The Warriors secured wins on Saturday and Sunday behind strong pitching performances, timely hitting and a powerful offensive showing in the series finale.
East Central opened the weekend with an 8-2 victory Saturday afternoon. After both teams traded runs early, the Warriors seized control in the fourth inning, scoring three runs to build separation.
Briceton Johnson sparked the offense, finishing with three hits and two RBIs, including a home run that provided a key boost in the middle innings. Xavier Myles also contributed with two hits and an RBI, while Will Williams and Kaden Pagett each drove in runs to help extend the lead.
On the mound, Landry Winter delivered a steady outing, working 6.2 innings while allowing just two runs. Winter limited Lansing's opportunities throughout the game and kept the Warriors in control before Nelson Haas closed the final outs to secure the win.
The Warriors followed that performance with a strong pitching display in the second game of the weekend, defeating Lansing 6-0.
Jackson Clark led the way with a dominant start, throwing six scoreless innings while striking out nine. Clark allowed just two hits and kept Lansing hitters off balance throughout the afternoon.
The offense gave Clark early support, scoring four runs in the opening inning to take immediate control. Pablo Roque delivered the biggest swing of the frame with a three-run home run, putting the Warriors ahead early.
Johnson added another home run later in the game and finished with two runs scored, while Jacob Wooten and Landon Moore each recorded RBIs to help East Central extend its lead.
The Warriors' pitching staff combined to strike out 11 hitters in the shutout, limiting Lansing to just three hits in the contest.
East Central completed the sweep Sunday in a high-scoring finale, outlasting Lansing 16-13 in a game that featured offensive production from both teams.
The Warriors wasted little time building momentum, scoring five runs in the first inning and adding four more in the second to take an early advantage. Roque powered the offense with a three-hit performance and drove in five runs, including a home run that helped ignite the early rally.
Mason Hickman also delivered a big performance, recording two hits including a home run while driving in two runs and scoring three times. Kayden Peoples added a three-run homer, and Will Williams homered as well as the Warriors continued to pile on runs throughout the afternoon.
East Central finished with 14 hits in the game, with multiple players contributing in the offensive surge.
Lansing battled back with a late push, but the Warriors' bullpen held off the comeback attempt. Andrew Nielsen delivered a key relief appearance, working the final 3.1 innings without allowing a run to earn the win.
Across the three games, East Central combined strong pitching with explosive offensive production, highlighted by multiple home runs and clutch hitting throughout the lineup.
The weekend sweep also marked a milestone moment for Holliman, whose 600th career victory came during the series as the Warriors continued to build momentum during the early portion of the season.
East Central's balanced performance on both sides of the ball proved to be the difference across the weekend, with the Warriors controlling games through timely hitting, solid starting pitching and key bullpen contributions.