Gulf Coast splits at Itawamba

Mississippi Gulf Coast clubbed six home runs Saturday but got yet another MACCC doubleheader sweep against Itawamba.

The Bulldogs hit four two-run dingers in the second game to win 11-5 after seeing a seven-run lead evaporate in a 12-11 loss in the first game that ended on an ICC walk-off homer.

Gulf Coast (17-22) has split all 12 conference doubleheaders. Itawamba is now 17-19, 11-13. The Bulldogs are in a three-way tie for eighth place, with the top nine teams qualifying for the postseason.

Smith (Fr., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) had his second home run of the day, joining Cade Crosby (Fr., Gulfport/Gulfport), Preston Ratliff (So., Slidell, La./Northshore) and Alex McWhorter (So., Semmes, Ala./Faith Academy) with Game 2 blasts.

Smith also had a triple, and Brendan McCauley (So., Gulfport/Harrison Central) had two hits, including a double. Jesse Johnson (So., Purvis/Purvis) also had two hits for the Bulldogs, who pounded out 12 in the game.

Matthew DeLano (So., Biloxi/Biloxi) threw his second straight complete game, striking out three.

The Bulldogs took advantage of six straight walks in the fourth game to score nine runs and go up 9-2. Johnson had a solo homer to open the scoring for Gulf Coast.

Itawamba would take a 10-9 lead in the sixth, but Smith tied it up with a solo shot in the eighth. ICC went back in front 11-10 in the bottom of the inning.

Kade Carpenter (Fr., Vancleave/Vancleave) singled in the tying run in the ninth before a one-homer by ICC in the bottom of the inning ended it.

McCauley had three hits, and Smith and Johnson had two each.

The Bulldogs entertain Copiah-Lincoln on Tuesday at Ken "Curly" Farris Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. Their final doubleheader, which will be Sophomore Day, will be Friday when Mississippi Delta visits.

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.