(Wildcats Advance to Semifinals After Ninth-Inning Heroics in All-Mississippi Showdown)
In a heavyweight Mississippi matchup with national implications, the Pearl River Wildcats stunned East Central Community College in walk-off fashion, 7-6, on Tuesday at the NJCAA Division II World Series at Davis Allen Ballpark in Enid, Oklahoma. Freshman third baseman Topher Jones delivered the knockout blow — a scorching RBI double down the left field line in the bottom of the ninth — sending the Wildcats into the national semifinals and one step closer to their second title in four years.
Pearl River, ranked No. 2 nationally, entered the game riding high after a dominant Region 23 Tournament, which included a previous mercy-rule victory over East Central. But Tuesday’s showdown was anything but easy.
Both teams traded blows throughout the game. Pearl River struck first in the first inning with a Caston Thompson RBI single, but East Central answered with a four run top of the second. Highlighted by a two run triple by the DH Pablo Roque.
Pearl River would come back with a 3 run fourth inning to tie the game at 4. The game would remain tied until the 7th inning when both teams would get one run each in the 7th inning tying the game at 5. In the 8th inning East Central’s Right Fielder Briceton Johnson would break the tie with a one run home run taking the lead at 6. Pearl River would answer back in the bottom the inning with a passed ball scored run.
Tension mounted as both teams fought through pitching changes and high-pressure at-bats headed to the 9th with the scored tied at 6.
With their backs against the walls the Wildcats responded like champions. A leadoff walk put a runner on first, a strikeout followed. But then came Topher Jones — the freshman who’s become a late-season hero. Jones worked a 2-2 count before lacing a line drive just inside the third-base bag. The ball rattled into the corner as two Wildcats raced home. Pandemonium erupted as Jones rounded second with his fist in the air, mobbed by teammates as Pearl River walked it off in stunning fashion, 7-6.
The win sends the Wildcats to the NJCAA Division II World Series Semifinal. They will take on the winner of No. 6 East Central and No. 7 Southeastern Thursday at 7 p.m.
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