East Mississippi Community College Triumphs 12-1 Against Hinds

East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) secured a commanding 12-1 victory against Hinds Community College during a round-robin baseball event held on February 19, 2026, at Joe G. Moss Field in Raymond. This win followed a tough 7-3 loss to the preseason 14th-ranked Jones College earlier in the day.

The Lions, eager to rebound, demonstrated their offensive prowess early in the nightcap against Hinds. They quickly capitalized on their first at-bats, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Freshmen Jonas Coleman and Jack Willis led the charge, delivering consecutive run-scoring hits that set the tone for the game.

Coleman, who dominated on the mound, completed a full game, marking his first collegiate victory. He effectively limited the opposing team, allowing only two singles and a solo home run from Sam Sheffield in the final inning, which prevented a shutout.

The Lions continued to build their lead, showcasing their scoring abilities predominantly in the odd-numbered innings. In the third inning, four EMCC batters reached base safely, leading to a five-run rally bolstered by Willis’ second double of the game. By the end of the third, the Lions had established an 8-0 advantage.

In the fifth inning, they maintained their momentum, sending nine batters to the plate again. Caidan Bullard delivered a pivotal two-out, two-run double, further extending the Lions’ lead. Bullard, Coleman, and Willis each contributed two hits to the team’s offensive success.

The earlier match against Jones College saw the Lions struggle to find their rhythm. After a strong start by Bullard, who retired the first nine batters he faced, the Bobcats took control of the game. They scored two runs in the fourth inning and added another in the fifth. A three-run homer by Gage Reeves in the sixth put Jones ahead 7-1. Despite a late-game rally by EMCC, which saw Coleman hit a two-run double, they could not overcome the deficit.

Looking ahead, head coach Brett Kimbrel and his Lions, now holding a 3-9 record, are set to host Dyersburg State in back-to-back doubleheaders on February 20 and 21. The first pitch on Friday is scheduled for 14:00, followed by a noon start on Saturday at Gerald Poole Field on the Scooba campus.