By By SCOTT COOPER – Sports Writer
The Jefferson Davis Warhawks hit the diamond over the weekend as they competed in the annual Carl McInnis Southern Classic played on the campus of Okaloosa-Walton Community College.
With their brutal early-season schedule that has included several top 20 teams in the national rankings, the Warhawks continue to struggle in an attempt to notch wins. Going winless in three tournament games, their overall record is currently 2-11.
Okaloosa-Walton 5, JDCC 3
The Warhawks drew host Okaloosa-Walton in the Feb. 22 tournament opener and held the lead until a late OWCC rally shot down JDCC's bid for a victory.
Okaloosa-Walton maintained a 1-0 advantage through three complete innings, but the Warhawks' bats came alive in the fourth. Phil Currid and Rob Mosley reached base with singles before Steven Cadenhead drove in a run that tied the game at 1-1. After a Josh Hasty single, Leon Brasington powered a two-RBI hit that placed JDCC on top, 3-1.
The Warhawks continued holding the upper hand through six innings, but then Okaloosa-Walton exploded for four runs in the seventh and did what was necessary the rest of the way to close out a 5-3 win.
Leaders at the plate for the Warhawks were Rob Mosley, 2-for-4 and Leon Brasington, 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
Panola CC 11, JDCC 6
In their second game played on Feb. 22, the Warhawks faced Panola Community College of Carthage, Texas.
Panola held a 3-2 lead as JDCC came to the plate in the top of the seventh inning. The Warhawks then got solid offensive production that produced four runs and put them out front, 6-4.
In the top half of the eighth, Panola showed the ability to manufacture runs through a sustained rally. Five runs moved across home plate to overtake the JDCC lead at 9-6. After holding the Warhawks scoreless in the bottom of the inning, Panola added two more insurance runs in the top of the ninth to secure an 11-6 win.
Offensive leaders for the Warhawks were Phil Currid, 3-for-5 with two RBIs and Jack Schwartz, 1-for-3.
Iowa Western CC 11, JDCC 3
Iowa Western Community Community College, a team that last season set the junior college record of 70 home runs, was the Warhawks' Feb. 23 opponent.
Showing the type power for which they have become feared, Iowa Western bombed the ball with regularity on their way to a 10-0 lead after four innings.
Ben Glass came on in relief for the Warhawks and cooled the Iowa Western bats the remainder of the game, allowing no more earned runs while striking-out eight. But, JDCC managed only three runs that were not nearly enough to threaten the huge Iowa Western lead. As the dust settled, JDCC returned home on the short end of an 11-3 decision.
Josh Padgett led the Warhawks, going 1-for-3 at the plate.