HANCEVILLE, Ala. — The No. 4 Pearl River softball team rolled with every punch that No. 17 Wallace State - Hanceville threw Tuesday afternoon, going on the road and sweeping the Lions, 8-7 and 7-6.
"It was an extremely special day. That team (Wallace State) is phenomenal," head coach Christie Meeks said. "We showed so much fight and desire to win. Our offense fought back so many times, and our defense handled things and fixed mistakes as we went. I'm very proud of this team.
"Our hitters were timely in everything that they did. They were locked in and putting things together all day."
GAME ONE
Pearl River (10-2 overall) struck early against Wallace State (10-5), scoring in the first inning on a double into the gap by Natalee Eaves (Louisville; Choctaw Central). Two innings later, Eaves did damage again, lining a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left field to make it 3-0.
The Lions got one run back in the fourth before Pearl River added three more in the top of the fifth. Addy Grace Alexander (Poplarville) walked and Eaves singled before Shania Fondren (Batesville; South Panola) blasted her seventh home run of the season, a three-run shot that extended the lead to 6-1.
Wallace State responded with five runs in the fifth to tie the game at six, prompting another Pearl River answer. Anastasia Acree (Mobile, Ala.; Alma Bryant) drew a walk and Kai Goodman (New Orleans, La.; John Curtis) singled. Emmaleigh Theriot (Prairieville, La.; St. Amant) lined an RBI single up the middle, and an Eaves groundout pushed across another run to make it 8-6.
In the seventh, the Lions led off with a home run to cut the deficit to one. A walk and a double put two runners in scoring position, forcing Pearl River into a pitching change. Ana-Grace Garcia (Baton Rouge, La.; St. Joseph's) needed just one pitch to induce a groundout and close out the contest, 8-7.
Ann Elise Duncan (McComb; Brookhaven Academy) tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on four hits and six walks while striking out three. Teegan DeWitt (Pass Christian; Hancock) threw two innings, giving up one run on three hits and a walk. Garcia earned the save by recording one out.
Eaves finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Taylor Foster (Petal) and Acree tallied two hits apiece, while Fondren drove in three runs.
GAME TWO
Wallace State struck first in game two, scoring two runs on a single. Garcia bounced back from a rough first inning with a 1-2-3 second frame that included two strikeouts. Her offense responded in the top of the third.
With the bases loaded, Eaves smashed a two-run double. A bunt brought home another run, and Maeli Ben (Conehatta; Newton County) capped the inning with an RBI single to give Pearl River a 4-2 lead.
The Lions got to Garcia in the fifth, scoring three runs to regain the lead at 5-4. Pearl River turned to DeWitt later in the inning, and the right-hander needed just three pitches to force a lineout and end the frame.
Pearl River answered in the sixth. Acree and Goodman recorded back-to-back hits, and Alexander drilled a double into the gap to tie the game at five. Fondren followed with a sacrifice fly, and Ben doubled home another run to push the lead to 7-5.
Just like game one, Wallace State did not go down quietly. Two straight doubles cut the deficit to one, but DeWitt and the Wildcats held firm. DeWitt struck out a pair to close out the contest, 7-6.
Garcia allowed five runs on six hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings. DeWitt earned the win with 2 1/3 innings of relief, surrendering just one run on three hits.
Acree went a perfect 4-for-4 in the contest. Ben finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Eaves and Fondren also drove in two runs, while Goodman and Alexander collected two hits apiece.
NEXT UP
Pearl River returns to Wildcat Stadium Friday for a 3/5 p.m. doubleheader against Chipola.
TICKETS
Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Season tickets are $70. Single-game tickets are $9 if purchased in advance or $11 if purchased on game day.
TUNE IN
All home Pearl River baseball games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans with Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).
