Bulldogs knock off Bears in Region 23 play-in game

DECATUR --- The Holmes Community College Bulldogs picked up a 6-2 win here Monday over the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears in the Region 23 Tournament play-in game at East Central Community College to advance to Tuesday's game with East Central at 2 p.m.

The Bulldogs improved to 34-18 with the win.

Southwest took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Holmes tied the game in the top of the second when Thomas Kuhn bunted his way on base scoring Xavier Myles, who had singled earlier, from third.

The Bulldogs went up 2-1 in the third inning when Hunter Azemar singled to center scoring Nicolas Schwing, who had gotten on base on a Bear error earlier in the inning.

Holmes added two more in the fifth inning when Kuhn singled again scoring Azemar and Myles, who had both walked in the inning.

The Bulldogs increased the lead to 5-1 in the top of the sixth when Will McClure launched a solo homerun to right field.

Holmes' final run came in the seventh when Jacob Lott singled to score Kuhn, who had doubled earlier.

John Paul Buckner pitched a complete game going nine innings. He gave up two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Buckner faced 38 batters in the contest.

Kuhn led the Bulldogs with three hits including a double while McClure had a homerun.