Gulf Coast beats No. 11 Pensacola State

PERKINSTON — After dropping the opener against No. 11 Pensacola State, Mississippi Gulf Coast didn't drop their heads. They came out and got the biggest win in Coach David Kuhn's tenure in charge the Bulldogs in the second game.

Gulf Coast pitched great and played stellar defense both games, but the timely hits came and aggressive baserunning forced the Pirates into a series of errors in a 5-2 win. PSC won the first game 2-0.

"The first game we just couldn't get a hit in a pitchers' duel, but that's a big win for us," Kuhn said. "We took advantage of their errors, and that's what you're supposed to do. When a team makes an error, you're supposed to come through, and we did."

PSC (8-6) is ranked in NJCAA Division I. Gulf Coast (8-6) plays in Division II.

Kylie Burnette (2-2) threw a five-hitter in the second game, striking out three.

"Kylie did a good job keeping hitters off balance," Kuhn said. "She threw some ground balls and flyballs. They only hit a few balls hard and she throws a three-hitter. We had two complete games. You can't ask for anything else from your pitching staff."

Gulf Coast took advantage of the first of four Pirates errors in the first inning. After Jorja Roberson (Fr., Branyan/East Union) singled, the throw to the infield got away and a run scored to tie it at 1. K.K. Agner (So., Horn Lake/Magnolia Heights) scored Roberson with a double.

Pensacola State tied it in the fourth, but Abby Vance (So., Calhoun City/Calhoun City) doubled to lead off the fifth. She'd score on an error after Jett Harrell (Fr., Clarksdale/Lee Academy) singled, and Roberson's fielder's choice made it 4-2. A dropped popup allowed another run to score for the final margin.

Roberson made a diving catch in the sixth followed by Laurel Ladner (So., Long Beach/Long Beach) spearing a line drive at third to help get Burnette across the finish line.

Agner, Roberson and Harrell had two hits with a double each for Gulf Coast. Agner also had two hits in the opener, but the Bulldogs managed only three hits total.

Harrell was strong enough in the circle to win the first game, giving up single runs in the second and fourth. She scattered seven hits.

"She was getting ahead in the count and pounding the strike zone," Kuhn said. "She missed some bats. She had eight strikeouts. She threw really well."

Gulf Coast is back on the new turf at Ross-Smith Field on Thursday. Bishop State makes the trip from Mobile for a 1 p.m. start.

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