Jackson’s blasts help earn Gulf Coast split

PERKINSTON — Dom Jackson hit two more home runs, and Mississippi Gulf Coast nearly pulled off a huge late comeback Friday at Ken "Curly" Farris Field. The Bulldogs had to settle for a split against Nunez.

Gulf Coast won the opener 9-7 and lost the nightcap 11-10, scoring four times in the ninth to fall just short.

Dom Jackson (Fr., Gulf Breeze, Fla./Gulf Breeze) hit his sixth homer of the year in the first inning of Game 1, putting Gulf Coast up 4-1. Keondre Fields (Fr., Nesbit/Magnolia Heights) drew a bases-loaded walk in the third and Brandon Cain (So., Mobile, Ala./Baker) got plunked to drive in another before Seth Sterling (Fr., Vicksburg/Warren Central) delivered a two-run single as part of a four-run third to go in front 9-1.

Brody Swindle (So., Fairhope, Ala./Bayside Academy) struck out six in five innings, allowing five hits and three runs for the win.

The Bulldogs (11-3) led the nightcap 5-0 and 6-1 before the Pelicans (6-8) staged a comeback. Jackson had a two-run homer in the first, and Charlie Keller (So., Mobile, Ala./Mobile Christian) and Jayden Mark (So., Petal/Petal) hit solo homers in the fourth.

Nunez scored six times in the eighth to go up 11-6. The Bulldogs scored four times with two outs in the ninth, with Kannon Varnado (So., Gulfport/Harrison Central) getting hit to force in a run, Ty Mancha (So., Albuquerque, N.M./Mobile Christian) delivering a two-run single and Landon Holliman (Fr., Hattiesburg/Sumrall) driving in another run with a single. They couldn't get the tying run in from second, however.

Gulf Coast beat Nunez 3-1 in the season series.

The Bulldogs travel to Poplarville on Wednesday for an MACCC tripleheader. They play host Pearl River at noon, followed by a game against Jones. They are non-conference games. 

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