Bulldogs start postseason in Raymond

PERKINSTON — The path Mississippi Gulf Coast will take in the postseason has finally been set.

One last MACCC doubleheader was played Monday, and the results confirmed the Bulldogs will travel to Hinds for a best-of-three series starting Thursday. Games 1 and 2 are scheduled for 4 p.m. Game 3 on Saturday will be at 2 p.m.

It's a break from the regular-season routine of doubleheaders.

"We'll have to organize our pitching and bullpen a little bit different, but it won't be drastically different," Gulf Coast coach Bob Keller said. "I still feel like we've got good starting pitching which can stretch out a little bit."

Tickets for the games must be purchased with credit cards, and fans will be able to purchase them in advance at https://sports.hindscc.edu/sports/2020/10/6/athletic-events-tickets.aspx. The games will be streamed at https://hindsccsports.net/channel-1/.

Because of construction on Hinds Boulevard in Raymond, fans will park across the street in the lot south of Hinds' football stadium (area marked in maroon on image). They can walk to the stadium on the sidewalks and crosswalks (red) and buy tickets at the gate (purple).

Gulf Coast (20-23, 15-13 MACCC) finished in seventh in the conference; Hinds (26-16, 19-9) was fourth. The Eagles were one of six teams receiving votes outside the NJCAA Division II Top 20 in the final regular-season poll.

The Bulldogs, as they did with all but one MACCC opponent this season, split with Hinds. Noah Nicholson (Fr., Vancleave/Vancleave) was splendid in an 11-1 Game 1 win that ended after seven innings.

The Eagles showed their offensive prowess in the second game, winning 18-7 in five innings. They led the league in total bases and were third in slugging.

"Hinds is an offensive club," Keller said. "They can score runs in bunches and have a variety of ways to put pressure on you. Pitching and defense will have to come to the forefront for us to win."

Gulf Coast's pitching staff finished fourth in ERA in conference games (5.53) and were fifth in strikeouts per game (9.50).

The Bulldogs' offense has picked up of late as well. Outfielder Sean Smith (Fr., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) has a 16-game hitting streak, and shortstop Cade Crosby (Fr., Gulfport/Gulfport) has one spanning 15 games. Center fielder Kade Carpenter (Fr., Vancleave/Vancleave) has surged down the stretch, too.

"Recently, we've been swinging really good," Keller said. "We've got some guys who really started to settle in and see the ball well, using the whole field. I like the momentum our offense has produced in the last two weeks going into this series."

The winners of the four qualifying series join LSU Eunice in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament, which is being hosted by MACCC champ Pearl River on May 16-20.

NJCAA Region 23 Baseball Tournament Qualifying Series

May 5-7

Best-of-three series

May 5

No. 9 Northwest Mississippi at No. 2 Meridian, 6:00 p.m.

No. 8 East Central at No. 3 East Mississippi, 2 p.m.

No. 7 Gulf Coast vs. No. 4 Hinds, 4 p.m.

No. 6 Jones at No. 5 Northeast Mississippi, 6 p.m.

May 6

No. 9 Northwest Mississippi at No. 2 Meridian, 3 p.m.

No. 8 East Central at No. 3 East Mississippi, 2 p.m.

No. 7 Gulf Coast vs. No. 4 Hinds, 4 p.m.

No. 6 Jones at No. 5 Northeast Mississippi, 4:00 p.m.

May 7

No. 9 Northwest Mississippi at No. 2 Meridian, if necessary, 2:00 p.m.

No. 8 East Central at No. 3 East Mississippi, if necessary, TBA

No. 7 Gulf Coast vs. No. 4 Hinds, if necessary, 2 p.m.

No. 6 Jones at No. 5 Northeast Mississippi, if necessary, 2 p.m.

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.