POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Jones College handed Pearl River its first shutout loss of the season in the opening game of a doubleheader before the Wildcats won the nightcap in extra innings, splitting the series. Jones improved to 25-6 overall and 4-2 in the MACCC, while Pearl River moved to 19-3 and 3-1 in conference play.
Madison Sawyer pitched a complete-game shutout for Jones in the opener, limiting Pearl River to just two hits. She also contributed offensively with an early two-run home run in the top of the first inning, giving the Bobcats an early 2-0 lead. Annaston Tate added a two-run homer in the fourth, extending Jones’ lead to 4-0. Despite multiple threats by Pearl River, Jones’s defense and Sawyer’s pitching kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard.
In the second game, Pearl River won 4-2 in extra innings. The Wildcats took an early 2-0 lead in the first, aided by an RBI single from Shania Fondren and a throwing error that allowed Sawyer to score. Jones responded in the fourth with a tying run. The game remained deadlocked through regulation, with neither team able to score in the sixth or seventh innings.
During the extra inning, Zion Seals drew a leadoff walk for Jones. Maeli Ben delivered a walk-off home run, sealing the Wildcats’ victory. Breelyn Cain took the loss for Jones, allowing four runs on six hits with a season-high eight walks. Ana-Grace Garcia struck out 10 for Pearl River. Claire Andersen stole two bases in the game, bringing her season total to 34 and career total to 72. She needs 14 steals to break the all-time record.
The teams will conclude their series with a doubleheader at Mississippi Delta on Saturday at 1 p.m.
