[03/03/02]Just like last week, Vicksburg High pounded a powerhouse, then followed with a loss.

The Gators beat West Lauderdale, 15-3, but fell to Meridian, 8-2, in the second game Saturday.

“We’re searching for consistency right now,” VHS coach Jamie Creel said.

And he ran his point and his players in the ground. Creel made the Gators run for nearly an hour following their loss.

“You’ve got to cherish stepping on that field every time,” Creel said. “We’ve got some players that may not step out there again.”

In the first game, the Gators (5-4) got home runs from J.J. Brown and Paul Gorney as they cranked out 12 hits against the Knights (5-2), a Class 3A powerhouse that has won more state championships than any program in the state. They won their ninth last season.

“We crushed the ball,” he said.

VHS scored six runs in the seventh inning and Chris Middleton tossed a three-hitter.

Brown had a big night, going 4-for-4 with a home run, a triple and three of VHS’ nine stolen bases. John Rohrer added an RBI and three doubles and Ryan Grey went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Justin Henry chipped in two hits while Josh McBride doubled and Corey Hudson drove in a run. Gorney drove in two runs with his homer.

“As good as we were in the first one, we were that bad in the second one,” Creel said.

The Wildcats jumped ahead 7-0 in the first two innings and the Gators never recovered.

John Hendrix, who started when VHS beat perennial power Tupelo last Saturday, took the loss while going the distance. He allowed seven hits and walked three.

David Stagg had a pair of doubles, Hudson doubled and Boo Hardy and Rohrer both drove in runs.

VHS committed three errors and managed only six hits.

Last week, the Gators beat Tupelo but were beaten by Brandon.

Warren Central’s tournament with Madison Central and Grenada was rained out.