Smith’s big bat earns MGCCC split

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast rebounded from a slow start to nearly steal Game 1, and then the Bulldogs came out swinging in Game 2 to earn a split with Coastal Alabama-South at Perkinston on Friday.

The Sun Chiefs won the opener 6-4 in nine innings, but Gulf Coast outslugged them 12-5 in the second.

"The first game, we had our opportunities to win," Bulldogs coach Bob Keller said. "We swung through the ball too much. We punched out too many times at the plate and (our pitchers) walked a few too many guys. When we look back, it makes your heart sink, but I'm proud of how the group recollected. It was a different team Game 2."

Sean Smith (So., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) gave Gulf Coast a lifeline in the first game, turning only the Bulldogs' second hit of the game into a game-tying grand slam in the fifth. Gulf Coast would get runners to third base with one out in the seventh and eighth innings with a chance to walk it off but couldn't end it.

The Bulldogs (3-1) wasted no time in the second game, scoring five runs in the first inning. Jayden Mark (Fr., Petal/Petal) hit his first collegiate homer in the rally, a three-run bomb. Smith's second home run of the day made it 8-2 in the fifth, with Ty Mancha (Fr., Albuquerque, N.M./Mobile Christian) tacking on another with an RBI single.

Smith doubled in two more runs in the sixth before DJ Walker (So., Brandon/Brandon) changed places with him with his third double of the game for the final margin of victory.

"I was just trying to keep my head on the ball," Smith said. "I have a problem with my head flying off."

He didn't have that problem Friday, driving in seven runs. Mark went 2-for-4 with four RBI, and Nick Thornton (Fr., Pearl/Brandon) also had two hits. Walker had four in the game.

Hayden O'Dell (Fr., Mobile, Ala./St Paul's Episcopal) picked up the win with seven strikeouts in four innings. He pitched better and better as his outing went on.

"I'm really proud of Hayden O'Dell's first college start," Keller said. "He looked really good. He had good composure, good nerves, good stuff. That makes it exciting for down the road. We've pitched it pretty well so far this season." 

Gulf Coast is back in action on Valentine's Day with a doubleheader against Coastal Alabama-East. First pitch in Tuesday's doubleheader at Ken "Curly" Farris Field will be at 2 p.m.

For more information on MGCCC's 11 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.