The Meridian Community College baseball team apparently felt some effects from Monday's thrilling comeback over LSU-Eunice as Northwest Mississippi defeated the Eagles 9-3 Tuesday night in the second round of the Region 23 Tournament at Scaggs Field.

MCC fell behind 8-0 in the contest after just three innings. The game was delayed nearly an hour and a half for inclement weather and was completed too late to include full details in today's edition of The Meridian Star.

The Eagles (40-20) managed only three runs on eight hits. Tyler Moore led MCC at the plate with a two-run home run, a double and a sacrifice fly to drive in all three of the Eagles' runs.

Once again, defensive errors plagued MCC, as they committed four errors in the game.

Northwest starting pitcher Wesley Grilliette went all nine innings in a complete-game effort. The freshman pitcher scattered eight hits and had 13 strikeouts.

Northwest (36-15) advances to play Itawamba Thursday at 4 p.m. MCC will play Mississippi Gulf Coast at 1 p.m. Both East Central and LSU-Eunice were eliminated Tuesday as the two tournament favorites both went 0-2 in the tournament.

ECCC was once again run ruled, 14-6, by Gulf Coast and LSU-Eunice was also run ruled, 10-2, by Itawamba in Tuesday's other action.

The Meridian Community College baseball team (40-19) faced the most talented team in NJCAA division II baseball in the opening round of the 2007 NJCAA Region 23 baseball tournament Monday night at Scaggs Field. Louisiana State University at Eunice (44-13) came into the opening round of the tournament ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA poll and was looking to defend both their Region 23 and National Championships from last season. For the first six innings it looked like LSU-Eunice would do just that, until the Eagles awoke late in the evening to real of one of the most improbable comebacks in school history and take a 10-7 win.

Meridian trailed 7-0 heading into the seventh inning and had just one hit when pinch hitter Josh Demoney came up to bat and hit a two-run home run to score MCC's first runs of the game.

Then shortstop Shannon Steed's squeeze bunt with two outs scored Drew Snider from third base to pull MCC to within four runs, 7-3.

The Eagles put more runs on the board in the eighth inning. The bases were loaded with two outs when Justin Worby drove in three runs with a double to make the score 7-6.

Scott Mosley then drove in pinch runner Kedrick Martin with the Eagles' second consecutive double to tie up the ballgame 7-7.

After relief pitcher Wade Weathers shut down the LSU-Eunice lineup in the eighth, the fireworks continued for the Eagles in the ninth.

After Toddrick Stevenson struck out to lead off the inning, Matt Holliman and Michael Guerro both walked to put two runners on base for MCC's leading hitter, Tyler Moore.

Moore then sent a three-run home run into the Meridian night and closed out one of the more improbable comebacks in MCC history. The Eagles advanced to play Northwest Mississippi Tuesday night at 7 in a winners bracket contest.

"Obviously Demoney's homerun got things going for us," said MCC's head baseball coach Chris Rose. "Worby and Moore came up huge for us also. In the middle of the game I didn't think that we deserved to win, but we turned it around, finally started to play some defense and got it done. To beat the #1 team in the nation in this comeback on our field, it doesn't get any better."

MCC's starting pitcher Lee Swindle lasted six innings and struck out six batters. Jason Coats, John Hendrix and Wade Weathers all came in for relief to close out the game. Weathers ended up with three strikeouts in two innings pitched.

LSU-Eunice starting pitcher Luke Wagley lasted 7 2/3 innings, giving up six runs on four hits, six walks and 14 strikeouts.

At the plate, MCC's Moore and Worby combined for six RBIs, while Josh Demoney collected two hits and two RBIs.

For LSU Eunice, leadoff batter Boomer Blanchard had two hits, a single and a double.

LSU-Eunice will take on Itawamba at 4 p.m. Tuesday in an elimination game.

(MERIDIAN)- Meridian Community College baseball coach Chris Rose announced Monday the signing of former Ole Miss baseball player, Tyler McMullen to the MCC baseball program.

McMullen, who played at Southeast Lauderdale high school, was a red shirt-freshman pitcher for the Ole Miss Rebel baseball team in 2006-07.

"With the addition of Tyler to our already solid recruiting class, we're in great shape for next season," said Coach Rose.

"Tyler is an impact player with ability to field, hit and pitch and that's a great combination for us."

McMullen was a four-time letterwinner at Southeast Lauderdale under head coach Shay Cooper as a pitcher, catcher and third baseman. He was a four-time All-State selection, named Second Team as a freshman (2003) before earning First-Team honors (2004, 2005, 2006). He posted an 8-3 record with six saves as a senior with a 1.23 ERA as he struck out 122 batters in 62.1 IP. At the plate he hit .462 as a senior with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 16 doubles and two triples. He was a two-time Offensive MVP selection (2004, 2005), named Team MVP as a senior (2006) and selected as a pre-season Louisville Slugger All-American as a senior.

McMullen also lettered three years in soccer and a year in football Southeast.

"I feel comfortable with the guys here," said McMullen who is from Lauderdale County.

"MCC has a great program and I am looking forward to helping out in anyway that I can."

Coach Rose added that McMullen will either play third base, catcher or relief pitcher for the Eagles next season, wanting to take advantage of his power at the plate also.

(MERIDIAN)- Meridian Community College golf coach Sean Covich announced the signing of two Lamar High School golfing standouts to his 2007 recruiting class Tuesday morning.

Clay Bounds and John Everett signed to play for Covich and the MCC golf team starting in the fall of 2007. (As of Wednesday, Jarrod Moulds of Lamar also gave a verbal commitment to play for MCC. More info on Moulds to come later).

"These young men are exactly the kind of student-athletes that we want at this program," said Covich.

"Not only do they possess a lot of talent on the golf course, they will succeed in their academics and represent this school with class everywhere we travel."

Bounds comes to MCC as one of the more decorated golfers in the State of Mississippi. He has been a member of the Lamar golf team since 6th grade and helped guide Lamar to four MPSA State Championships in five seasons.

In 2004 Bounds won three events including the MJGA Tour Pros of Tomorrow Junior Classic, Gulf States PGA Northwood Classic and the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour's Woodlands Classic in Gulf Shores, AL. At the 2004 Bubba Conlee National Junior Tournament in Memphis, Bounds shot 71-72-69 to place 13th overall, earning him two AJGA Tour exemptions.

In 2005, Bounds won the Mississippi "Big I" Junior Championship shooting 74-73. With that win, he qualified for the National "Big I" Junior Championship in Lafayette, IN where he placed 12th out of 108 golfers. At the 2005 Bubba Conlee National Junior Tournament in Memphis, Bounds shot 74-72-69. That year, he also won the medalist title at the MPSA State 3A championship and medalist at the Lamar Invitational at Northwood shooting 67 (-4).

In 2006, Bounds captured two medalist titles winning at Old Waverly Golf Club with a 1-under par 71 and at Indian Hills in Alabama with a 1-over 73. At the 2006 Bubba Conlee National Junior Tournament in Memphis, Bounds shot 73-70-70 to place 14th overall, earning him two AJGA Tour exemptions.

As a senior, Bounds guided the Raiders to their second straight MPSA Overall State title shooting a 73 and claiming 5th overall in the individual results.

Overall Bounds has posted 25 rounds of even-par or lower in his junior golfing career, he has finished in the top-five Mississippi Junior Golfer of the Year point standings three times and has participated in prestigious events on the SJGT Tour, MJGA Tour, AJGA Tour, and in USGA qualifiers.

Bounds also played varsity soccer for Lamar and earned his Eagle Scout honor this year. He is a member of Central United Methodist Church and is the son of Dale Bounds.

Everett has been a member of the Lamar Raider golf team 8th thru the 12th grade. The Raiders won four MPSA State Championships in the five seasons that he played.

Individually, Everett has played on various junior golf circuits including the Mississippi Junior Golf Tour.

In the summer of 2004, Everett claimed the prestigious Northwood Junior Club Championship by posting rounds of 72-73.

In the summer of 2005, Everett posted rounds of 74-73 to claim third in the MJGA Northwood Jr. Classic.

In 2006, Everett participated in the Tom Tarleton Invitational, posting a top-ten (8th place) individual finish.

A native of Meridian, Everett is also a member of the Lamar High School basketball team. He is a member of Polar Springs Baptist Church. His brother (Stewart) played tennis for MCC. He is the son of Keith and Darlene Everett.