By Dustin Kent

Published: March 27, 2008

The Chipola Indians won their fifth straight game Wednesday night, sweeping its series with Okaloosa-Walton with a 13-2 win.

Chipola is now 6-2 in the Panhandle Conference and 30-8-1 overall.

After posting an 11-5 win over OW in Niceville Tuesday, the Indians made quick work of the Raiders Wednesday, scoring eight runs in the first and winning the game in five innings due to the 10-run rule.

“We played well,” Chipola coach Jeff Johnson said. “It was good to see us finally focus offensively. We got a couple homeruns, moved runners over, just had good offensive execution. I hope it’s a sign of things to come.”

Marc Bourgeois collected five RBI in the first inning alone, getting a three-run homer, then a two-run double in his second at-bat of the inning.

Adam Duvall had a three-run, inside-the-park homerun in the first inning as well.

Chipola posted four more runs in the second inning to take a 12-0 lead.

The Indians took advantage of the big lead and sat starter Matt Jackson after just two innings of scoreless, hitless work, allowing Ben Jeffers, David Buchanan, J.B. Johnson and Carlos Moncrief to finish the final three innings.

Johnson said that he was encouraged by the offensive output his team put forward in the two-game set, though he made a distinction between Tuesday’s performance and Wednesday’s effort.

“Tuesday wasn’t as pretty offensively,” he said. “There weren’t a lot of hard-hit balls, they just found the right spot. (Wednesday), it was much different. We got good quality at-bats and made quality swings.

“We’re still kicking the ball here and there defensively and we’re not pitching quite as well as we need to, but I was encouraged by (Wednesday’s game) that we’ll start doing things like we’re supposed to again.”

The Indians collected 23 hits in the two-game set.

Chris Berroa went 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBI Wednesday, while Daniel Jones drove in three runs.

Chipola is now one game out of first in the Panhandle Conference standings, trailing first-place PJC at 7-1.

The Indians take on third-place North Florida (4-3) Friday in Madison and Saturday at Chipola Field.

Johnson said the series presented his team with a chance to make a big statement in the league race.

“We can separate ourselves a little this weekend or we can get ourselves in a big bind,” Johnson said, “one or the other.”

Ryan Chaffee will start Friday and Drew Parker will take the mound for Chipola Saturday.

Johnson said that North Florida, which doesn’t usually find itself in the thick of the Panhandle race, is no fluke this season.

“It’s probably the best team they’ve had in 12 years,” the coach said. “They’re very good offensively, maybe the best in the conference. They’ve got some pop with the bats. It’s going to be a good challenge for Chaffee and Parker.

“I thought (North Florida) was one of the top three teams in the league coming in and right now they are.  We have to play well in all facets of the game and limit our miscues.”

Saturday’s game in Marianna is set for a 1 p.m. start.