Baseball sweeps to avoid play-in game

PHOTO BY LINDSEY HENLEY

PERKINSTON — There's nothing better than a sweep, and Saturday's sweep by Mississippi Gulf Coast was extra sweet.

The Bulldogs beat Holmes 11-1 in seven innings and 9-2 on Sophomore Day to ensure they won't have to fight their way through an extra game in the postseason.

"You get the opportunity to save an arm going into the playoffs, and you don't have to get into that play in game," Gulf Coast coach Zach Allen said. "It's just huge. That was a big sweep. Our guys have been fighting all year long, and we put together two complete games."

The top six teams in the league avoid that fate, and Gulf Coast (35-17, 17-9 MACCC) can finish no worse than fifth.

Samuel Marsh (So, Monroe, La./Neville) threw a six-hitter in the first game, striking out six. He needed just 95 pitches for his complete game. James Vines (Fr, Clinton, La./Silliman Institute) started the second, striking out six and allowing five hits in six innings.

"We've been throwing it really well," Kuhn said. "Coach Stew's (Chase Stewart) got those guys really locked in, when they get their opportunities. Sam Marsh has been electric all year, and James Vines did that same thing in Game 2. When those two guys pitch, we have a chance in every game."

Kaden Irving (So, Gautier/Gautier) had a three-run homer in the first game, finishing with four RBI. Keondre Fields (So, Nesbit/Magnolia Heights) and Asher Henley (Fr, Vancleave/Vancleave) had two hits.

The Bulldog didn't strike out and capitalized on nine walks and five hit batters. Jacob Palazzo (So, Biloxi/Gulfport) got hit his first three times to the plate and five times in the doubleheader.

Dom Jackson (So, Gulf Breeze, Fla./Gulf Breeze) had a two-run homer in the second game, finishing with three RBI. Irving had two more hits and two more RBI, and Henley stacked another two-hit game.

Jordan Davis had two hits, with a double.

"That's Bulldog Baseball right there," Allen said. "We played with a lot of fire, and the bats came alive. Some really good arms. It was just a complete day of baseball."

Gulf Coast closes out the regular season Tuesday when Hinds visits. First pitch in the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.

Holmes is 31-18, 12-14.

Gulf Coast saluted 16 sophomores during pregame ceremonies, and also announced Keilon Parnell (So., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) as the winner of the Randy Rouse Award. It's given in honor of a former Gulf Coast baseball player who died of leukemia in 1992. The award is voted on by the team and is given to the sophomore who best exemplifies sportsmanship, unselfishness, and loyalty.

The 16-player sophomore draft includes Keilon Parnell (So., Pascagoula/Pascagoula), Landon Holliman (So, Hattiesburg/Sumrall), Tanner Ladner (So, Pass Christian/Hancock), Aiden Seymour (So, D'Iberville/D'Iberville), Dawson Hall (So, Gulfport/Gulfport), Colby Wilson (So, Saucier/D'Iberville), Andrew Knight (So, Hattiesburg/Sumrall), Dom Jackson (So, Gulf Breeze, Fla./Gulf Breeze), Jacob Palazzo (So, Biloxi/Gulfport), Eli Waters (So, Petal/Petal), Keondre Fields (So, Nesbit/Magnolia Heights), Samuel Marsh (So, Monroe, La./Neville), Kaden Irving (So, Gautier/Gautier), Brayden Scott (So, Pascagoula/Pascagoula), Seth Sterling (So, Vicksburg/Warren Central) and Nick Hamby (So, D'Iberville/D'Iberville).

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.