The Meridian Community College baseball team opened an eight-game conference homestand Saturday afternoon by playing host to Southwest Mississippi Community  College in a pair of pivotal games. 

MCC came out and played well in front of its home fans by securing a sweep over the visiting Bears by final scores of 6-3 and 6-1. 

MCC got the day started by using a pair of home runs and stellar pitching to defeat Southwest Mississippi in Game 1. JD Gann led the charge at the plate with a grand slam and an RBI single. Former Northeast Lauderdale star Landon Keller also connected on his first collegiate home run in the victory for the Eagles. 

Freshman Hunter Stanley (3-2) pitched a complete game in the three-run win for the Eagles and notched eight strikeouts. Stanley allowed three runs, no walks and 11 hits in the nine-inning effort.

Keller also added another single in the game for MCC, while Milton Smith and Chase Coker each had a single. Trace Jordan also collected a single off the bench and reached base twice in the Game 1 win.

MCC completed the sweep of the Bears in Game 2 behind another solid pitching performance in a 6-1 victory. Freshman Briar Russell (2-2) picked up the pitching win for the Eagles by working five innings and collecting six strikeouts. Freshman Logan McDowell pitched the final two frames for the Eagles and allowed only two hits in the relief appearance. 

MCC trailed 1-0 after three innings, but scored all of its runs in the final three frames to roll to the five-run victory.

Zack Carter drove in a pair of runs on a double, while CJ Hughes knocked in a pair of runs on two base hits. JD Gann and Luke Craig each had an RBI single in the win, while four other players — Cade Ewing, Landon Keller, Milton Smith and Chase Coker — each had one hit apiece.

MCC improved to 15-11 overall with the doubleheader sweep and moved its conference record to 4-6 for the 2017 season. The Eagles will continue their current stretch of home games at Scaggs Field by playing host to Mississippi Delta Community College in a conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday.