Thursday, April 3, 2008

Texarkana splits with Lon Morris

Texarkana splits with Lon Morris

JACKSONVILLE, Texas—Texarkana College had to settle for a split with last-place Lon Morris Wednesday, bouncing back for an 18-5 victory in the second game after a 4-0 loss in the opener.

The Bulldogs are 22-15 overall and 7-7 in the Region XIV East Zone.

Michael Russo blanked TC on six hits in the opener. It was the second straight series that the hard-hitting Bulldogs, who lead the zone in hitting, have been shut out.

Zach Fowler took the loss, giving up seven hits and all four runs in four innings. Josh Gill struck out four in two innings of relief.

Gip Hendrix doubled and singled, Justin Coats had two singles and David Phillips a double for TC.

TC pounded out 16 hits in the second game, but trailed 3-2 after six innings. But the Bulldogs scored six runs in each of the seventh and eighth inning, the seventh highlighted by Hendrix’s 3-run home run and a 2-run blast by Gill. Justin Coats had a solo homer in the first inning.

Justin Fowler went seven innings, striking out six and walking one, to pick up the win. Thomas Watson pitched the eighth and Cory Hill the ninth, neither surrendering a run.

Coats led the way at the plate with four hits in five at-bats, including his home run and a triple. He drove in three runs. Hendrix drove in seven runs with his home run and two singles, Gill had two singles to go with his homer, Phillips and Trevor Rainey had RBI doubles and Dean Malthouse a double.

Lon Morris finished the day at 15-24 and 2-12.

Texarkana starts the second round of zone play Saturday, hosting Bossier Parish Community College at noon.