The Jefferson Davis Community College Warhawk baseball team kept their chances of making the state tournament alive as they grabbed a 7-4 win over the Alabama Southern Eagles Friday in Brewton.
With the win, JDCC improved to 23-25 overall and to 9-16 in conference play.
JDCC led 1-0 after two innings and 4-0 after three innings before each team scored one each in the fourth and two each in the fifth for the Warhawks to take a 7-3 lead.
Alabama Southern would score their final run of the day in the top of the eighth but JDCC would hang on and get the win by three runs.
“We just kept talking about not quitting,” JDCC head coach Darrell Blevins said. “We know our backs are against the wall. We know we have to win out to have a shot to prepare and the team is willing to do that.”
JDCC’s Corey Thompson earned the win on the mound going seven innings and allowing six hits, three earned runs, walked and struck out three.
Tyler Howell earned the save in two innings of work allowing three hits, one earned run and walking and striking out none.
JDCC pounded out 14 hits and also benefited from four ASCC errors.
Brandon Blackwelder was 1-for-4 while Jordan Creel was 2-for-5 with one RBI.
Dustin Bickmeyer was 2-for-4 and Dillan Schaniel was 1-for-5 with one RBI. Mark Humphreys was 3-for-5 with a double and Brandon Ray was 1-for-4. Kyle Freeman was 3-for-4 with one RBI while Andrew Tindell was 1-for-3 with one RBI.
“We got a good performance out of Corey on the mound today and he gave us a chance,” Blevins said. “Our hitters did a really good job against their pitching staff. We just have to keep going. These kids have played hard for a very long time. We have had a lot of games in a row and they have been hanging in there and that is our strength, our energy and effort in the game. I credit them for not cashing in. A lot of teams would have. We know we have a hurdle to climb or a mountain to climb or whatever you want to call it, but we feel we are still grasping, fighting, clawing and scratching.”
The two teams were set to play again Saturday in Brewton. Scores from that game were not known as of press time.
JDCC will play their last conference series Thursday and Saturday at Wallace State Dothan. Game time Thursday is set for 2 p.m. while Friday’s doubleheader is set for noon.