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Mississippi Braves Rally for Clinton-MC Night Victory


2012 Miss Mississippi College Taylor Townsend joins MBRAVES mascot at Trustmark Park in Pearl.

Fans at Clinton-Mississippi College Night cheered when the MBraves rallied in the 8th inning for their first win of the 2012 season.

The 4-2 triumph over the Mobile BayBears provided a nice finale to the annual event that saw Clinton and MC supporters combine their talents at Trustmark Park.

Whether it was the polished performance of the Christian university’s Army ROTC Color Guard or the superb rendition of the National Anthem by the Clinton High Arrow Singers, the balmy spring weather was perfect for the evening of April 9.

Miss Clinton Jamie Ferguson, who plans to be a Mississippi College freshman next fall, and 2012 Miss Mississippi College Taylor Townsend, each tossed a ceremonial first pitch to start the Southern League baseball game in Pearl.

Other key participants in the lineup included Christian radio station STAR 93.5 based at Mississippi College, the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, the Clinton Courier, and a number of MC alumni and students.

“We had a lot of parents, teachers and administrators there and it was a special night for everyone,” said Sandi Beason, public information officer for the Clinton Public School District. “The Clinton-MC Night with the MBraves is becoming a tradition each spring, and it’s something we all look forward to.”

The MBraves tied up the game in the bottom of the 7th when catcher Christian Bethancourt scored on a bases loaded walk. Pitcher Ryan Buchter got the win after striking out every Mobile batter he faced in the 8th, with Mark Lamm shutting down the visitors in the 9th to earn the save.

“Seeing a pumped up MBraves team run off the field with their first victory of the new season was a great way to end a fun night,” said Andy Kanengiser, an event organizer and MC’s university news coordinator. “We thank all the participants in Clinton-MC Night for being part of this extraordinary evening on Easter Weekend. As usual, the MBraves staff was great to work with.”

Hannah Kanengiser, a Pearl High freshman, enjoyed her role shooting pictures of the festivities.

“My favorite part of Clinton-MC Night was hearing advice from current MC students about me attending in four years,” says Hannah, a Pearl Pirates volleyball player who celebrates her 15th birthday on Sunday.

Special thanks for making for another successful event goes to the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and its leader T.J. McSparrin, Clinton Courier Publisher and Editor Clay Mansell, the Baptist Healthplex, and Mississippi College cheerleaders. MC graphic arts coordinator Michael Hataway deserves kudos for his creative work on the event’s flyers again this year.

The four Mississippi College students performing in the Army ROTC Color Guard were Cadets James Lamoreaux and Grant Whittington, both of Meridian, Cadet Stephan Pitts of Brandon, and Cadet Curtin Rachel of New York. The group is led by Staff Sgt. Jacob Carpenter of Memphis, Tenn., and Captain Anitria Mack-Lewis of Grenada, who serves as the unit’s Officer in Charge.