The Meridian Community College Eagles opened the 2017 baseball season on Saturday afternoon in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Scaggs Field, playing host to to Lawson State Community College. 

The Eagles were able to use power and late heroics to sweep Lawson State by final scores of 11-3 and 8-7. 

MCC got the day started by finishing Game 1 with 11 total hits, and four runs crossed the plate on a pair of home runs. Freshman Zack Carter connected on his first collegiate home run in the victory and finished the game by knocking in three runs. Sophomore Blake Fields also went deep on a solo homer in the game and also picked up two additional hits in the victory. Sophomore Chase Coker also had a solid game for the Eagles with a pair of doubles and two RBIs, while Milton Smith added an RBI on a sacrifice fly in Game 1.

Sophomore Caleb Yarbrough picked up his first pitching win of the season by working into the fifth inning and collecting eight strikeouts. Sophomore Bukhari Brown was credited with the save in Game 1 and notched one strikeout in relief.

Sophomore JD Gann helped MCC walk off with a dramatic 8-7 in Game 2 and assist the home squad in earning the sweep. 

Lawson State scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning that would force MCC to bat in the bottom of the seventh, but Gann would end the game moments later. Gann smashed a solo homer deep over the wall in left field to send MCC to the 8-7 victory.

MCC finished Game 2 with 10 total hits, and three different Eagles finished the game with two hits apiece. Chase Coker had a pair of hits and one RBI, and Luke Craig  also had two hits in the victory, one which came on a solo homer to deep center field. Freshman Trace Jordan drove in a pair of runs on two singles, while Blake Fields finished with a two-run single.

Freshman Matthew Harrison picked up the pitching win out of the bullpen for the Eagles by working two innings. Freshman Briar Russell drew the start on the mound for the Eagles and worked five innings, striking out five.

MCC will return to action on Monday at Spring Hill College and will play its next scheduled home games at Scaggs Field on Feb. 19 as a part of the 2017 Rush Invitational Tournament. MCC will take on Jefferson College for a doubleheader beginning at noon Feb. 19.