Gulf Coast sees even brighter 2024 ahead

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast improved by 17 games in 2023, and the Bulldogs remain optimistic the arrow is still pointing up on their trend line.

Gulf Coast opens the season Thursday in the Mardi Gras Invitational in Youngsville, La., returning a sophomore class that did a lot of heavy lifting last year and a group of freshmen that increases the talent pool immensely.

"I think we'll be well balanced," Bulldogs coach David Kuhn said. "We've got some good depth on the mound, and we've got some good bats throughout the lineup. We're pretty solid defensively."

 Gulf Coast's first home games will be Feb. 9-10 in the MGCCC Invitational. Season passes for all the Ross-Smith Field games are on sale now for $75 at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets. This year, for the first time, online single-game tickets will be cheaper than paying at the gate. Adults pay $7 online instead of $10 at the game, and youth cost $5 instead of $7.

The Bulldogs play Angelina and Lamar State-Port Arthur on Thursday. Their opponents Friday are National Park and Pratt.

The Bulldogs went 39-22 last year, finishing fifth at the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. A pair of All-MACCC performers return at the corners in the outfield. Jett Harrell (So., Clarksdale/Lee Academy) was a First Teamer in the designated player position, but she was a force in the circle and in left field.

"You've got a kid coming back who was 20-6, the leadoff hitter with power," Kuhn said. "She stole bases, drove in runs. Without a doubt, she's an ace on the mound who gives us a chance to win every time out."

Harrell batted .396 with 16 doubles, a triple, eight homers and 45 RBI. In right field, Jorja Roberson (So., Branyan/East Union) earned Honorable Mention honors. She batted .371 with 17 doubles, a triple, four homers and 33 RBI.

"She gets better and better every day," Kuhn said. "She had a good solid year for us last year. She works hard and has great energy. She's very strong and has worked hard to become a better outfielder."

Center field will have Lauren Trawick (So.., Calvin La./Calvin), who missed last year with an injury, and newcomer Irina Sanford (Fr., Lucedale/George County). Transfers CC Lynn (So., Waynesboro/Wayne County) and Olivia Keith (So., Crestview Fla./Crestview) will also see time out there. 

The pitching staff also includes Kylie Burnette (So., Picayune/Picayune), who went 11-6 last year. Taylor Styers (So., Oxford/Lafayette) also returns. Olivia Falcon (Fr., St. Amant, La./St. Amant) was strong in the fall, and Gulf Coast is hoping to get help later in the season from Madison Laiche (Fr., Luling La./John Curtis).

Kuhn called catcher the deepest position on the team. Kamryn LaFosse (So., Lake Charles/Sam Houston) started most of the games, driving in 42 runs. Natalie Shaw (So., Olive Branch/Marshall Academy) is healthier this year, and freshmen Savannah Wilbanks (Fr., Southaven/DeSoto Central) and AB Parrish (Fr., Corinth/Alcorn Central).

Parrish may play at first and third base, and Wilbanks can play second and third. They may all four be in the lineup at the same time. 

Aleah Beaugez (Fr., D'Iberville/D'Iberville) and Milly Moran (Fr., Biloxi/Biloxi) are at shortstop, and Abi Williams (So., Columbia/Columbia Academy) returns at third base. Shaylynn Hoak (Fr., Vancleave/Vancleave) will battle with Wilbanks at second.

This Gulf Coast team can be better than last year's team but getting to the top of the MACCC is a hard slog. Copiah-Lincoln beat Jones in the national championship last year, a sign of the league's power. There will be one additional berth for Region 23 in an expanded 20-team World Series.

"Jones is always going to be good," Kuhn said. "Co-Lin, Northwest, Pearl River, Northwest, Itawamba … the same old, same old. You've got Meridian, Holmes, Southwest that are good teams. There's no days off in this league, that's for sure." 

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