Hinds baseball headed to state tournament
04/29/08 -  The Hinds Community College baseball team is headed to the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) state tournament on the heels of a successful 2008 campaign. The Eagles are currently 29-18 overall and finished in second place in the tough Central division with a 9-7 record in divisional play.

Hinds will take on Itawamba Community College, the host school, at 7 p.m. on Thursday night in Fulton. The Indians earned the right to host by winning the North division championship.

Hinds finished the regular season on Saturday at Meridian Community College, splitting a doubleheader to assure them of a spot in the playoffs. Hinds won the first game 8-7 in dramatic fashion, but was unable to complete the sweep, losing 13-5 in game two.

Game two served as a championship game of sorts, with the Central division title on the line. The Eagles of Meridian were able to come out on top, winning the Central division with a 10-6 record.

Hinds is led on the mound by Aryo Fleming of Baton Rouge, La. The sophomore righty carries a 7-2 record with a 1.94 ERA into Thursday's opening matchup with Itawamba. The pitching staff is also led by Shane Bennett of Clinton, a freshman pitcher/infielder. Bennett is 4-2 on the season with a 2.52 ERA in over 35 innings pitched.

The Eagles have been riding the hot bats of Eric Douglas and Jonathon Ettinger, both Vicksburg natives, all season long. Douglas' average constantly hovers around the .400 mark, and he is tied for the team lead in home runs (5), and leads the team with 31 RBIs. Ettinger is leading the team with a .428 average and 13 doubles.

View the complete bracket for the 2008 state tournament. Please check this site for updates and scores from the tournament.