Strong pitching provides split at Summit

Mississippi Gulf Coast got a pair of outstanding pitching performances during Monday's split doubleheader at Summit but had to settle for a split.

The Bulldogs beat homestanding Southwest Mississippi 3-0 but couldn't get any production in a 1-0 loss to Meridian in a non-conference tripleheader.

Nick Hamby (So, D'Iberville/D'Iberville) and Trey McDonald (Fr, Moss Point/Faith Academy) combined for a four-hitter in the opener. Hamby threw two no-hit innings in his first appearance of the season, and McDonald kept stacking zeroes to complete the shutout. He finished with five strikeouts.

"We only had to use three guys, so that sets us up for Thursday," Gulf Coast coach Zach Allen said. "Hamby and McDonald pitched lights out and had some timely hitting late in that ballgame."

Naji Cain (Fr, Columbia/Columbia) had an RBI groundout in the third. Dom Jackson (So, Gulf Breeze, Fla./Gulf Breeze) did the same in the eighth, followed two batters later by Dawson Hall (So, Gulfport/Gulfport), whose RBI single added another insurance run.

Colby Wilson (So, Saucier/D'Iberville) had two hits, including a double. Keilon Parnell (So., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) also doubled.

In the second game, Eli Waters (So, Petal/Petal) pitched well enough for a win. He struck out five, giving up his only run with one out in the seventh to end the game.

"Eli threw a gem," Allen said. "I'm super proud of him. Unfortunately, we didn't get a run across in the seventh, but we will learn from that and continue to keep getting better."

Jacob Palazzo (So, Biloxi/Gulfport) led off the seventh with a double, followed by a single by Brandon Coakley (Fr, Covington, La./Covington). Meridian pegged a runner at home on a ground ball, then got a strikeout and grounder to end the threat.

Gulf Coast (7-5) entertains Delgado on Thursday. First pitch in the Ken "Curly" Farris Field doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.

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