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Raymond – The Hinds Eagles baseball program opened up the season this weekend with two games on Friday (Feb. 15) and two games on Saturday (Feb.16). The Eagles split the double header with Southeastern Iowa Community College on Friday after winning the first game 3-2 before falling 10-7 in fifteen innings in game two. On Saturday, the Eagles then won their first game 8-3 over Kaskaskia before dropping game two 12-4 to Panola College.

Game 1 vs. Southeastern Iowa Recap - W 3-2

The Eagles found themselves in a battle in their first game of the season as they faced a formidable foe on the mound who held them to just three hits on the day. The Eagles found themselves down 2-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning when their offense came alive. John Bolton (Memphis, TN) cracked-open the score column in the inning with a RBI single plating Jovante Dorris (Raymond). In the next at-bat, Walker Burchfield (Clinton) blasted a home run that cleared the scoreboard in left-center field to give the Eagles the 3-2 lead which led to the Garrett Ramsey (Brandon) save.

Josh Banes (Learned) started the season opener on the mound for the Eagles and gave his team a chance to win with four solid innings pitched. Banes gave up two runs on three hits including two infield singles. Connor Carter (Madison) pitched outstanding in relief earning his first college win as he threw 2.2 innings allowing just two hits, zero runs, and struck out three batters. Ramsey closed the game out recording his first career save as he faced just one batter and struck him out with the tying run on second base.

Game 2 vs. Southeastern Iowa Recap – L 7-10 (15-innings)

The 15-inning marathon in game two of the day lasted over five hours. The Eagles wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in this game as they dropped a four-run spot on the Blackhawks beginning with a 2 RBI double by Bolton. The Eagles would scratch one run in the third and fifth innings as they held on to a tight 6-5 lead. The Blackhawks would erase that lead, however, in the sixth inning and go up one run in the top of the seventh inning forcing the Eagles to muster an answer. In the bottom of the eighth inning, it was Dorris who would help push his team back to a tie game as he collected a single and two stolen bases which allowed for Burchfield to bring him home with a RBI ground out. Unfortunately, that would be the last run the Eagles scored on the night as they fell in the 15^th inning of the extended contest.

Preston Johnson drew his first collegiate start and pitched 4.1 innings, allowed five hits, four runs, two earned, and struck out an impressive eight Southeastern Iowa Batters. The Eagles also got outstanding relief performances by Luke Clement, Garret Ramsey, Jake Smithhart and Matthew Taylor who combined to throw 6.2 scoreless innings, four hits, and eight strikeouts. Walker Burchfield threw a scoreless top half of the fourteenth before surrendering three runs in the top of the fifteenth earning him the unfortunate loss.

Game 3 vs. Kaskaskia Recap – W 8-3

On the heels of the late-night contest with Southeastern, the Hinds baseball team got an early start to their Saturday as they took on Kaskaskia College (IL). The early start did not phase the young baseball team as they cranked-out eight runs in the seven-inning contest. The Eagles held an early 4-0 lead which they saw diminish to 4-3 before posting a four-run sixth inning to close things out. Josh Cofield (Madison) went two for two with two RBI, one run, and one walk in the game while Carter posted another quality game going one for two with two RBI, one run, and a double.

Ryan Crowley drew his first collegiate start and pitched three solid innings, allowed just one hit, zero runs, and struck out five. Harrison Haley made his Eagles debut in relief and threw four innings, scattered six hits, struck out two batters with no walks and allowed just one earned run to earn him his first collegiate victory.

Game 4 vs. Panola College Recap – L 4-12

The Eagles found themselves in a tough match-up with Panola College (TX) as they faced some elite pitching and a quality offense in the Ponies. A rough second inning left the Eagles fighting to regain control of the game throughout the contest. The Hinds baseball team was able to cut the lead down to two runs before another offensive push by Panola secured the eventual 12-4 win for the Ponies.

Carter continued his weekend tear posting three hits in the game including a two RBI double off of the center-field wall while Dorris had three knocks of his own. Carter also collected two steals in the contest.

Blake Marshall drew his first collegiate start on the mound and flashed impressive stuff striking out three batters in just 1.1 innings allowing just 1 hit. His control got the best of him, however, as he walked four batters and hit one batter allowing Panola to score six runs in the second inning giving him the loss. Matthew Taylor came in and pitched outstanding in relief as he threw 2.2 innings and struck out three batters. Another bright spot on the mound was Greg Oden who threw just two-thirds of an inning and struck out two Panola batters.

#19 Walker Burchfield rounds the bases for the season's first homer.