Winning ways continue for the East Central Community College Diamond Warriors, who earned a pair of victories from Alabama Southern Community College Thursday on the Monroeville, Ala., campus, and improved to 10-2 on the 2010 campaign.

After four scoreless innings, East Central pushed four runs across the plate in the fifth inning in posting a 6-1 decision in the opener, and the Diamond Warriors exploded for seven runs in the seventh to claim a 12-7 victory in the nightcap and complete the sweep. 

The EC offense was limited to just six hits in the opener, but thanks to a strong performance by freshman southpaw Colton Mitchell of Lake, the Diamond Warriors did not need many runs.

Freshman Darmaal Moore belted a double and collected an RBI to lead East Central sluggers. Singles each were recorded by Donnie Tabb of Neshoba Central, Vincent Kortbawi of Hale County (Ala.) High School, Charles Hill and Quin Stokes, both of Carthage, and Andre Yates of Grenada. Tabb was credited with two RBIs, and Moore, Hill, Stokes and Richie Long of Carthage knocked in a run each.

Mitchell went the distance in the seven-inning matchup to record his second win of the season. He allowed just one run on four hits. He also fanned five batters and walked five.

 In the second game, Yates was the top offensive performer with a double and three singles, and was credited with an RBI. Long had a double and two singles and knocked in three runs. Stokes belted two singles and had one RBI. Singles each were recorded by Tabb, Kortbawi, Hill, Moore, Ricardo Velez of Trujillo, Puerto Rico, and Jerrod Myers of Jackson St. Andrews.

Freshman right-hander Cal Cossich of Ocean Springs was the winning pitcher in relief. He hurled the final one-and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on two hits. He fanned two batters and walked one.

Pervis Mann, a freshman southpaw from Carthage, was the starter and allowed four runs on three hits. He also walked two batters. Also seeing action on the mound were freshman right-hander Tyler Dalton of Winston Academy and freshman southpaw Willard Bacon of Choctaw Central.

Next up for the Diamond Warriors is a key doubleheader Saturday with Louisiana State University-Eunice. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m. on the Eunice, La., campus. The Diamond Bengals are 11-0 and pre-season favorites to win another NJCAA Division II championship.  

East Central returns to action Friday, March 5 by hosting Itawamba Community College in a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex. The first game is a nine-inning battle and will be followed by a seven-inning affair. The non-division contest was previously scheduled for Saturday, March 6.