FULTON – Jones gave up three runs in the bottom of the ninth to drop its conference opener at Roy Cresap Field, but responded with a 9-1 win in the nightcap to split a doubleheader at Itawamba Friday night.

Jones moved to 14-4, 1-1 in league play while ICC moved to 7-7 and 1-1 in the MACCC.

The Bobcats host No. 2 Pearl River on Wednesday (was scheduled for Tuesday) at Community Bank Park.

Itawamba 3, Jones 2

Kade Keeton shoved for seven innings, leaving the game with a 2-0 lead, before Itawamba rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth for a walk-off win.

After DeeJay Booth's leadoff double in the second, Colson Harris singled to score Booth and give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. Murray Hutchinson singled and scored on Billy Garrity's RBI-single to make it 2-0 Jones after three.

Keeton allowed four hits through seven innings, striking out four with two walks to preserve a 2-0 lead. 

Drew Druckenmiller, who hadn't allowed a run in 14 innings this season, tossed a scoreless eighth before running into trouble in the ninth.

Back-to-back walks and a sac bunt put the tying runs in scoring position. Drew Capobianco's double scored both to tie the game before Eli Hancock's single plated the game-winning run.

Jones 9, Itawamba 1 

A four-run first, highlighted by Garrity's three-run blast to right, set the tone for a game two win.

Garrett Clendenning's RBI-single scored Tyler Ducksworth after a single to make it 5-0 in the second.

Colby Tubre allowed three hits and one run over six strong innings, striking out seven before handing it over to Luke Lycette for one inning of relief.

ICC's lone run came in the sixth on a fielder's choice.

Harris' two-run double and Ducksworth's sac fly capped a three-run seventh to make the final 9-1.

Hutchinson, Josh Cary and Garrity combined for six of the Bobcats' nine hits.