Jackson, Tenn. – After a three-day delay due to inclement weather, the nationally ranked Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball team finally got to open the 2014 season on Thursday.
However, the results were not at all what the Tigers wanted. No. 20 Northeast fell twice at Jackson State (Tenn.) Community College by scores of 9-4 and 8-4.
The Generals scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning to set the tone for the afternoon. Landon Boyd (0-1) rebounded nicely after that frame to pitch two more solid innings, but the right-hander took the loss.
Boyd, a Columbus native, allowed seven runs, two on a home run by Taylor Walker, and struck out two. Dustin Allen and Townsend Myers tossed the final three innings and combined to strike out four.
Heath Wood recorded a solid start to his sophomore campaign. The Kossuth High School product went 2 for 3 with a RBI single and a stolen base.
Trent Turner also added two hits in his initial contest in a Tiger uniform. Riley Alef and Cody Bo Dillard drove in runs for Northeast, while Josh Peterson accounted for the fourth run with a sacrifice fly.
Northeast was errorless in the lid lifter and turned three double plays with fielders Luke Stanley, Easton Hall and Myers starting the action.
The Tigers (0-2) were held to just two base hits in the nightcap, both by freshman outfielder Colby Williams.
Northeast scored each of its four runs off Jackson State (2-0) miscues. Three errors led to just one earned run by the Generals.
Walker added his second long ball of the afternoon as Jackson State took a 7-2 lead after four innings. Tyler Cox (0-1) got the start for the Tigers in the second matchup and went three frames with five runs allowed and three strikeouts.
Hunt Halford and David Gibson closed the contest for Northeast and allowed just one earned run over the final three innings.
Josh Tubbs and Tommy Weiler were the winning hurlers for the Generals. Weiler pitched 3.1 innings of relief in the finale and did not concede an earned run.
Northeast returns to the diamond for its home openers on Tuesday, February 18 when Calhoun (Ala.) Community College visits Booneville. First pitch for the doubleheader is slated for noon at Harold T. White Field.