Lowe breaks out of slump in time to beat Southern Academy

By George L. Jones

The Selma Times-Journal

J.R. Lowe had been in an offensive funk since hitting a home run in his first at-bat of the season.

If the slump isn’t over after a 3-for-5 performance and the game-winning hit against Southern Academy Thursday afternoon, it’s getting there.

Lowe turned a high fastball around in the bottom of the seventh to lift Meadowview Christian to a 9-8 victory.

“I was hoping he would throw me a fastball,” Lowe said. “He threw me two straight curveballs before that. I was looking for him to throw the fastball, and I ripped it.”

Lowe’s shot down the left field line got all the way to the fence and brought in Randal Hamilton from first base. Hamilton just made it in before the throw, causing the Trojans (3-1) to pile up and celebrate at home plate.

Senior Brett Collins, who was thrown out attempting a leadoff bunt, was happy he had something to celebrate on his birthday.

“This is the best birthday present I could ever get,” Collins said. “I don’t think we’ve ever beat Southern at anything since I’ve been here.”

The Cougars had a big inning in the fifth when they scored four runs to take a 7-2 lead. Jason Fondren was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out, then an error at second base allowed Christian Montz to get home. A single by Brian Stewart and an error in right field brought three more runs home.

All that came right after Meadowview left the bases loaded in the fourth, something that has been a problem more than once. The Trojans left the bags full three times in a loss to open the season against Monroe Academy last week.

Raymond Eggert hit an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 8, but got caught in a rundown between third and home to end the inning.

Trojans coach Rick Jackson said errors prevented his team from playing one of its best games, but they still found a way to get it done.

“I just feel if we go out and put the ball in play, we’ll get a big hit at some point,” Jackson said. “J.R. swung the bat real well today.”