The East Central Community College Warriors achieved a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Meridian Eagles, prevailing 7 to 6 in the NJCAA Region 23 tournament on Tuesday night, May 16. In an impressive display, the Warriors outscored the Eagles in the final four innings, 4-1, securing a one-run victory. The win was a team effort, with East Central posting 16 hits at the plate and benefiting from stellar performances on the mound by Luke Cooley and Grant Edwards. With this win, the Warriors advanced to face the host team, LSU Eunice, on Wednesday, May 17 at 3:30 p.m.
The Eagles, playing as the home team, initially took the lead in the bottom of the first inning. However, the Warriors swiftly responded in the top of the second as Manning Huffman hit a double, driving in Cade Hall and Reid Hall. Huffman later stole third and scored on an error, propelling the Warriors to a 3-1 lead.
The Eagles managed to narrow the gap in the bottom half of the frame before eventually overtaking the Warriors with a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fifth, an error allowed the Eagle lead to expand. ECCC's Mo Little helped keep the Warriors in the game with a solo home run in the top of the sixth, cutting the deficit to 5-4. However, another RBI double from the Eagles increased their lead to two runs in the bottom of the seventh, 6-4.
The Warriors started the comeback in the top of the eighth with a double from Kelby Jordan, followed by a single from Eli Collins. Jordan eventually scored on a sacrifice bunt by Leighton Jenkins, and Ramie Harrison drove in Collins with a hard-hit ground ball up the middle. This offensive surge quickly tied the game at 6-6.
In the top of the ninth, the Warriors took the lead as Manning Huffman reached base on a fielder's choice. Jordan advanced Huffman with a single, and the sophomore stole third base, placing him just 90 feet away from home plate. Five pitches later, Huffman crossed the plate on a wild pitch, giving East Central a 7-6 lead.
Luke Cooley started on the mound for the Warriors, pitching four and two-thirds innings and allowing five runs on eight hits while recording seven strikeouts. Grant Edwards earned the win, throwing four and one-third innings and conceding only one run on four hits, striking out four Eagles in the process.
Jordan led the Warriors at the plate, going four for five on the day with one double. Other notable multi-hit performances came from Mo Little, Brady McGee, Reid Hall, and Ramie Harrison. Harrison finished the day with two doubles, while Huffman drove in a team-best two runs.