Irving’s grand slam leaves Bulldogs just short

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast almost pulled off a stunning seventh-inning comeback Wednesday to earn a split at Ken "Curly" Farris Field, but the Bulldogs fell short.

Kaden Irving (Fr., Gautier/Gautier) hit a grand slam to get Gulf Coast within 7-6 of Meridian, but the Bulldogs couldn't get the tying run in from second. The Eagles won the first game 12-1 in seven innings.

Gulf Coast (25-21, 11-15 MACCC) will hold Sophomore Day ceremonies Saturday ahead of a must-sweep doubleheader against Northeast Mississippi. The 16-player class will be saluted before the first game, which starts at 2 p.m.

Buy your tickets ahead of time to save money. It costs $7 for adults or $5 for youth online, or $10 and $7 at the gate. Tickets are available at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets, and the game will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch.

Dom Jackson (Fr., Gulf Breeze, Fla./Gulf Breeze) had a one-out single ahead of Irving to load the bases after a pair of walks. Irving hit a no-doubter over the left-field wall.

Two more Bulldogs reached via walks, but a pair of strikeouts ended the game.

Jayden Mark (So., Petal/Petal) and Marc Stephens (So., Orange Beach, Ala./Gulf Shores) had doubles for Gulf Coast.

Charlie Keller (So., Mobile, Ala./Mobile Christian) had a solo homer in the first game for Gulf Coast's only run. 

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