Bulldogs split with NEMCC, maintain hold on 5th

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast split a doubleheader with big playoff implications on Sophomore Day at Ross-Smith Field on Friday, and now the Bulldogs have to wait to find out their seeding in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

Gulf Coast run-ruled Northeast Mississippi 9-1 in six innings in the opener, but the Tigers rallied in Game 2 to win 8-6.

"We played a really good team," Gulf Coast coach David Kuhn said. "We played lights out in Game 1. We put a lot of pressure on them in Game 2, but they outplayed us."

Gulf Coast is now 36-18, 19-9 in the MACCC. That's good for fifth in the standings right now, but if the Tigers (39-11, 17-8) sweep Hinds on Tuesday, they'll tie the Bulldogs and win a tiebreaker. Itawamba could also jump into that picture by winning at least three of four against Copiah-Lincoln and Jones.

The fifth spot in the MACCC is the last one that will avoid having to play on the opening day of the region tournament on May 9. It will be hosted by the conference champion. Jones is atop the league now, but they have doubleheaders against Northwest Mississippi and Itawamba.

Jorja Roberson (Fr., Branyan/East Union) had three hits in the opener, including a double. Olivia Plummer (So., Gulfport/Gulfport) had two hits and two RBI, and Laurel Ladner (So., Long Beach/Long Beach) drove in two.

Jett Harrell (Fr., Clarksdale/Lee Academy) improved to 17-6 by twirling a three-hitter. The run she allowed was unearned.

K.K. Agner (So., Horn Lake/Magnolia Heights) had three hits, including a double, and she drove in two. Ladner drove in two more runners with a double.

"I like our fight," Kuhn said. "I like the way we played and competed. That's the way it goes sometimes."

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