Marion, AL. – MMI softball split their first of three doubleheaders this week, defeating Meridian CC 3-2 in game one but dropped game two in the ninth inning 6-5. They will welcome Moberly Area CC to campus Wednesday, February 18, for two games; game one is scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m.

Game 1 MMI 3 MCC 2

Emily Rice earned the win in game one, working all seven innings from the circle. She gave up three hits, two runs and a walk while striking out six Eagle hitters.

Marion took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Shelby Black led off with a homerun to centerfield.

Meridian CC added a run in the fifth inning to tie the game, but the Tigers added two runs in the bottom half of that inning to take the lead back. Destiny Brashears singled to right field and Emily Rice sacrificed her to second. Nichole Dockery blasted a homerun to left field to plate two runs.

MCC added one more run in the sixth inning, but Rice got three quick outs in the final inning to secure the victory.

Game 2 MMI 5 MCC 6 (9 Innings)

Emma Parmley took the circle for MMI in game two and was relieved by Sidney Elam in the eighth inning. Parmley gave up eight hits, five runs (four earned) and one walk with one strikeout. Elam threw two innings and gave up a run (none earned) with three walks and a strikeout.

The Eagles of MCC took a 1-0 lead after their first at-bat but Marion tied the game in the bottom half of the inning. Nichole Dockery and Carlie Blanton both walked and moved up a base on a passed ball. Katie Hopson singled to leftfield and scored Dockery.

Meridian added another run in the next inning, but Marion answered with two runs to take the 2-1 lead. Alexandra Gray tripled over the right fielder's head and Haylie Lee bunted her in. Destiny Brashears walked and Veronica Ward doubled left field, scoring Brashears.

MCC tied the game at three runs apiece in the third inning and it remained tied until extra innings.  In the eighth inning, the Eagles added two runs to take the 5-3 lead. With two outs, Haylie Lee (left field) and Destiny Brashears (right field) hit back-to-back homeruns to send the game into ninth inning where the international tiebreaker would be used. Meridian added a run to give them a 6-5 lead. With a runner at second base, Dockery bunted her to third base but two flyouts ended the rally for Marion.