Strong pitching performance not enough for MGCCC

Mississippi Gulf Coast got two strong pitching performances on the road at No. 8 Meridian, but the Bulldogs' bats were cold.

Tyler Rachel threw a complete game in the opener, falling 2-1, and Chris Crosby returned from injury to throw four one-hit innings but lost 2-0.

"Those guys threw really good today," Bulldogs coach Rodney Batts said. "It's unfortunate for those guys that our offense is in the tank right now. We just can't get a big hit."

Gulf Coast (21-17, 11-11 MACJC) fell back to .500 in the conference after jumping out of the pack by sweeping No. 15 East Central the last time out.

Gulf Coast returns to action for the last time at MGM Park on Wednesday. The doubleheader against Copiah-Lincoln starts at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/MGMtix.

Rachel scattered seven hits, striking out three. Only one of the Eagles' runs was earned.

"Tyler wound up going eight innings and threw well," Batts said. "He had good stuff. He did what you have to do to those guys: keep them off balance and stay ahead of them in the count."

Slater McCarty's home run in the second provided Gulf Coast's only run. Brian Lane extended his hitting streak to 15 games, including two doubles in Game 1, but the Bulldogs stranded nine batters.

Crosby hadn't pitched since the end of last month, but provided

"I think he threw about as well as he's thrown all year," Batts said. "His slider was really good. It was tight."

The Bulldogs managed only three hits, including Justin Nussbaum's double.

Meridian is now 32-8, 15-7.