Saints can't overcome big deficit in loss

By Jeff Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Saturday, April 26, 2008

NATCHEZ — The Trinity Episcopal Saints almost made one of the biggest comebacks in the school’s rich playoff history.

But the Saints just ran out of innings and energy and saw their season come to an end with a 14-12 loss to Copiah Academy in Game 3 of MPSA Class AA South State opening playoff series.

“We got every bad break we could get in one inning,” Trinity coach Matt Mason said. “Our guys dug in and kept battling. They just came up a little short.”

The inning Mason was speaking of was the top of the second.

Trinity (20-7) went through four pitchers in the inning as Copiah scored 11 runs, including a grand slam by Phillip Douglas.

By the time the Saints fifth pitcher of the game, Matthew Freeman, ended the Colonel rally, the score stood at 13-2.

“We’ve done a lot of work (on hitting) all season long, from spring practice up until now,” Copiah coach Scooter Prince said. “We’ve come to believe in ourselves and believe we can win, and that’s where the hitting comes from.”

The Colonels (15-11) had 12 hits in the game, seven of which came in the second inning.

Mason said the pitching staff was still feeling the effects of Thursday night’s 16-14 loss in eight innings to Copiah.

“The pitching staff was tired,” Mason said. “Matthew came in and showed tremendous guts and kept us in the game.”

Once Freeman entered the game, he kept Copiah at bay, allowing only one run in 5 2/3 innings.

Trinity still trailed 14-4 before scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth, sparked by a two-run double by Parker Brumfield and a sacrifice fly by Freeman.

Trinity scored four more runs in the fifth to trim the deficit to 14-11. Brumfield once again had the big hit, hitting a three-run double to the left field fence.

Trinity got within two runs in the sixth when Trevor Faust hit a run-scoring single, but Copiah’s Scotty Reese came on to pitch and recorded the final four outs of the game to end Trinity’s season.

Despite the loss, Mason said the season was a successful one, as the Saints won the District 3-AA title in their first year in AA. The seniors for Trinity also won district championships in four sports; football, basketball, track and baseball.

“I’m proud of the seniors (Brumfield, Freeman, Matt Barnes, Clint Easom and Brian Sanderson),” Mason said. “There’s no doubt they’ll be successful in whatever they do in life. They’re all winners.”