NEMCC SPLITS HOME DOUBLE-HEADER;
ELLIS WP IN GAME TWO

March 20, 2007

 BOONEVILLE, Miss.--  Kent Farris' Northeast Tigers pounded out 12 hits for 9 runs, but couldn't stop Holmes Community College from stealing a 14-9 victory in game one of a double-header at Harold T. White field in Booneville on Tuesday, March 20. However, Northeast would ride the arm of starting pitcher Ben Ellis (New Hope) in game two to a ten-run-rule victory, 10-0, to earn the split with the Bulldogs.

Ellis threw a complete 5-inning game for Northeast (8-12, 0-0), only giving up two hits, while striking out two and walking only two batters.

Freshman third baseman Blake Woodruff (Wheeler) had a huge day at the plate with three hits in game one, and a 3-for-4 performance in game two including a single, a double, and a triple. Woodruff drove in five runs in the Tigers win.

"Blake really swung the bat well today," said Farris. "We jumped out to a big lead (8-0) in game one thanks to guys like Blake, John David Horn, and M.J. (McWhorter) driving in runs early, and Shelby (Robertson) did a fine job on the mound in game one. We just played really poorly in the infield at times, missed some double-play opportunities and that's what allowed a good team like Holmes to come back."

Farris added that he was proud of the mental toughness his team showed in winning game two in just five innings. "We had a big first inning," the first-year Tigers' head coach said, "and that was all Ben needed. He kept their hitters off balance, and ironically we played great defense behind him in game two. Once again Blake (Woodruff) gave us the spark at the plate."

Northeast will open MACJC (Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges) North Division play on Saturday, March 24, at Mississippi Delta Community College.

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