The East Central Community College baseball team fell to No. 16 ranked Southeastern Iowa and perennial MACJC power Jones College in action Saturday, Feb. 16, at Community Bank Park on the Jones campus in Ellisville.
East Central picked up the two Saturday games in Ellisville after its scheduled doubleheader on Feb. 17 against Jefferson College (Mo.) at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex in Decatur was canceled due to expected rain.
The Warriors fell 12-8 to the Southeastern Iowa Blackhawks in the opener at Noon, and then lost an 8-2 decision to the Jones Bobcats in a night contest. Both were seven-inning games.
The Warriors are now 1-3 on the young season. Jones College improved to 4-0, while Southeastern Iowa out of West Burlington is 2-2.
Southeastern Iowa scored seven runs in the top of sixth inning to break open a close game in the opener. East Central headed to the sixth leading 3-1 before the Blackhawks took advantage of three singles, seven walks, and two passed balls to plate seven runs and take an 8-3 lead. Southeastern Iowa would get four more runs in the seventh on just two hits and two walks, a passed ball, and a hit batter.
The Warriors rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh to close to final score to 12-8. East Central's runs came on a two-run home run from sophomore right fielder Ken Scott of Clarkdale, a two-run single from sophomore left fielder Ryan Cupit (West Monroe, La., West Monroe), and a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman first baseman Evan Keith of Vancleave.
Sophomore second baseman Anderson Shelley (Greenville, Washington School) also had an RBI single in the game.
Freshman right-hander Tanner Knight of Eupora had a strong outing in the loss, throwing the first five innings and giving up just one run on five hits. Sophomore right-hander Will Ross of Hernando took the loss in relief.
East Central fell victim to a big inning in the second game of the day as well, as Jones College scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning to grab a 5-0 lead. The Bobcats took advantage of three more walks by Warrior pitchers and two passed balls. Jones got another run in the fourth and two more in the fifth.
East Central's runs in the game came on an RBI triple by Scott and a Bobcat error.
Sophomore left-hander Javian Stone (Jackson, Provine, Highland Community College) got the start and took the loss for East Central.
East Central will entertain Lawson State (Ala.) on Tuesday, Feb. 19, in a doubleheader that begins at 2 p.m. in Decatur. The annual Rush Invitational will be Feb. 22-23 at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex. The Warriors will play a doubleheader against Wallace State-Hanceville (Ala.) beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, and Wallace State and Baton Rouge Community College will play two games on Saturday, Feb. 23, starting at 2 p.m.