Paul Gorney of VHS collides with a Gentry runner at first base as they race to the bag. The Ram runner was out. Looking on is Vicksburg second baseman Josh McBride. Gorney had three RBIs as the Gators got their first division win, 17-0. (The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[03/21/01] Michael Spurlock had as little success against Vicksburg on the diamond as he did on the football field this season.

The Ole Miss football signee walked 17 Gators, hit one and allowed nine hits as Vicksburg (11-4, 1-1) dismantled the Rams, 17-0.

With temperatures plummeting and a stiff wind blowing out, three VHS pitchers managed to keep the Rams from reaching third base all night long.

Chris Middleton allowed just two hits in three innings for the win. John Rohrer, who had not pitched yet this year and Bob Berry struck out the side in the fourth and fifth to end the game by the 10-run mercy rule.

“If they can come in and throw strikes like that with some velocity, it’s a good deal,” Vicksburg coach Jamie Creel said.

Paul Gorney led the Gators’ offense with a pair of singles and three RBIs, while Middleton had a two-RBI double. Josh McBride had an unusual RBI fielder’s choice and Mitchell Beauman sent a two-RBI triple to the center-field wall.

“We’ve been aggressive the last four or five games,” Creel said. “If we can keep that, we’re going to be all right.”

McBride’s fielder’s choice was about the only suspense as the Gators took a first-inning lead and rolled.

Vicksburg put eight runs on the board in the second inning, but it could have been more. McBride rolled a grounder toward the shortstop, but Middleton and the shortstop made contact for a runner’s interference call.

The Gators left the bases loaded in the third, but Beauman’s triple, followed by six walks and a Jeremy Herring double led to six more Gators’ runs and the 17-0 final margin.

Wednesday’s makeup game with Madison Central was canceled.