Defending champs roll in season opener against No. 23 Jones

Defending champs roll in season opener against No. 23 Jones
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com

ELLISVILLE, MS – The No. 15 Indians opened the 2013 season with an 8-1 win over No. 23 Jones County Junior College on Friday.

"This was a good win for us," said ICC head coach Paul Johnson. "Jones has a very good program that is always in the mix for the state championship, but this is going to be a very tough weekend playing teams that will make a run at this year's championship on back-to-back days."

The No. 1 duo of Lucas Souza (Ilhabela, Brazil) and Matthew Peugh (Shannon) defeated Josh Lomas and Tanner Chamblee 8-2 with James Jackson (Clarksdale) and Ambrose Wilson (Clarksdale) picked up an 8-6 win over Ryan Young and Harrison Thomas.

"I was expecting a good day out of the sophomores, but Ambrose really looked good today in doubles play," Johnson said. "Hopefully this start to the season will lead to a lot of good things to come."

The No. 3 doubles victory went to Caleb Ballard (Tupelo) and Jamison Allred (Maben) in an all-out 9-7 battle over Caleb Byrd and Jonathan Jones.

"I thought Caleb and Jamison did a good job keeping their composure at times throughout the match," Johnson commented. "They did a good job of managing their match and feeding off each other to be able to fight for the win."

Souza picked up where he left off in singles play be defeating Lomas 6-2; 6-1 in the No. 1 match. Jackson got the best of Chamblee 6-1; 6-3 in No. 2 play while No. 3 Wilson defeated Young 6-3; 6-3. Ballard defeated No. 5 Luke Holston 7-5; 6-4 and No. 6 Jordan Trice (Shannon) took care of Daniel Sullivan 6-3; 6-3. Jones picked up their lone singles victory in No. 4 play when Caleb Byrd defeated Peugh 6-4; 7-5.

"This was a great way to open the season, but we don't have a lot of time to celebrate because we have another tough one tomorrow," said Johnson.

The Indians will face No. 22 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on Saturday.