Jones splits doubleheader with Meridian in wild 17-15 game two

MERIDIAN, Miss. — Jones College and Meridian split a doubleheader Tuesday at Scaggs Field, with Meridian winning the opener 14-4 in eight innings before Jones took the nightcap 17-15 in a game marked by 32 combined runs and a dramatic late rally.

In the first game, Meridian scored 10 unanswered runs to secure the victory. The Eagles (19-19, 6-13 MACCC) took the early lead with a solo home run from Tyler Johnson and a three-run homer from Jacob Driver. Meridian broke the game open in the seventh and eighth innings, adding five runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth behind 18 hits, including two home runs from Driver.

Jones (30-12, 13-6 MACCC) scored first in the second inning on a two-run double by Brayson Graham. The Bobcats tied it in the fifth but couldn’t contain Meridian’s offense. Vaiden Ellis earned the win for Meridian, allowing four runs over five innings, while Conner Moore finished with three scoreless innings.

In the second game, Jones built a 17-7 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Bobcats scored early and often, with key hits from Eli Wheat and Dakota Smith, and a three-run homer from Sanders Ainsworth in the seventh extended their lead.

However, Meridian staged a dramatic rally, scoring eight runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Nate Trochessett and Graham Jackson delivered clutch hits, bringing the Eagles within two runs. The tying run reached base with two outs before Jones closed the game with Trevor Hodges striking out the final batter for his fifth save.

Jones’s offense included 12 hits and multiple RBIs from Wheat, Chase Russell, and Ainsworth. Canyon Reeves earned the win in relief, while Ridge Brown took the loss for Meridian.

The teams will meet again Saturday at Jones, with a game scheduled for 2 p.m. and a pregame ceremony honoring the 2016 national championship team.

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