Allen ready to put his 1st Bulldogs to the test

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast throws out the first pitch in coach Zach Allen's first season in charge Saturday when the new Florida Post-Grad program visits Ken "Curly" Farris Field.

The doubleheader starts at 1 p.m., and it will be the first time the Bulldogs step out onto the field for real games under their new coach.

"It's a team that's just going to really get after other teams, doing all the little things right, playing for each other," Allen said. "That's a big thing we've talked about when it comes to being a family. You know, we spend a lot of time together and they're going to play for each other. We're going to play hard and, you know, play a really good brand of baseball."

Buy your tickets ahead of time to save money. It costs $7 for adults or $5 for youth online, or $10 and $7 at the gate. Tickets, including season passes for chairback and general admission seats, are available at http://mgcccbulldogs.com/tickets, and the game will be streamed at https://mgcccbulldogs.com/watch.

He's got a team that brings back a pair of big boppers in Kaden Irving (So, Gautier/Gautier) and Dom Jackson (So, Gulf Breeze, Fla./Gulf Breeze), with an array of pitchers who will be counting on strong defense.

"We're going to be pretty offensive," he said. "We've got Irving coming back, Dom coming back, so we've got some power there. But I think our arms are good enough to really keep us in all games. They've worked hard. They've really bought into what Coach (Chase) Stewart's done. So, I think we got a pretty balanced team. Defense is going to be really good, and that's what it's all about, pitching and defense. You know you've got those two things. With our offense, we got a chance to make some noise."

Jackson earned a spot on the All-MACCC team as a freshman after finishing fifth in the conference with 13 home runs. He led the team with 52 RBI and batted a stout .349. Allen challenged the Florida slugger to take big steps in the summer.

"He really got with a trainer and got after it," Allen said. "You know, he's running faster, more athletically. He's able to play that right field position where he can get on the gas and run some down. His arm's gotten better, and he's just an all-around better player."

When Jackson gets tapped to play first base, Keondre Fields (So, Nesbit/Magnolia Heights) and Tanner Ladner (So, Pass Christian/Hancock) will see time out in right. Keilon Parnell (So., Pascagoula/Pascagoula) is getting back up to baseball speed after spending the fall with the football team, and he was an anchor in center field last year, batting .299.

Jacob Palazzo (So, Biloxi/Gulfport) batted .247 last year and is in the mix in left field along with Fields and newcomer Jordan Davis (Fr, Neshoba/Neshoba Central).

Irving batted .306 with seven home runs and 38 RBI. He'll feature in the corner infield positions.

"He's got little bit of versatility, which a lot of people don't expect," Allen said. "You know we can put him at third base or first base. He's gotten really good defensively at that third-base spot, which gives us a guy over there we know is going to make all the plays. And then offensively you know what we're going to get out of him."

Landon Holliman (So, Hattiesburg/Sumrall) will shift over to shortstop after batting .369 last year playing most of his time at second base. Allen said he may be the fastest player in the MACCC. Brandon Coakley (Fr, Covington, La./Covington) will be in the mix at short and third.

Irving, Jackson, Seth Sterling (So, Vicksburg/Warren Central) and Dawson Hall (So, Gulfport/Gulfport) will see action at first base. Griffin Wells (Fr, Pascagoula/Pascagoula), Naji Cain (Fr, Columbia/Columbia) and Asher Henley (Fr, Vancleave/Vancleave) are battling for playing time at second base.

Allen has five catchers who may be called on. Layton Eder (Fr, Vancleave/Vancleave) is likely to get the opening-game nod, with Stirling, Colby Wilson (So, Saucier/D'Iberville), Landen Wallace (Fr, Gulfport/West Harrison) and ST Maust (Fr, Wiggins/Sumrall) standing by.

Allen and Stewart, his pitching coach, will use the non-conference slate to let six pitchers audition to be the four conference starters. Eli Waters (So, Petal/Petal) and Trey McDonald (Fr, Moss Point/Faith Academy) should start against Florida Post-Grad.

Aiden Seymour (So, D'Iberville/D'Iberville) is a returner in that mix with newcomers James Vines (Fr, Clinton, La./Silliman Institute), Samuel Marsh (So, Monroe, La./Neville) and Griffin Wells.

Brayden Scott (So, Pascagoula/Pascagoula), perhaps the Bulldogs' best reliever last year returns.

"He and Coach Stewart have been in the lab a little bit getting after it," Allen said. They figured out a change up with a slider that really works off each other."

Tyler West (Fr, Vancleave/Vancleave) and Walker Seaman (Fr, Grand Bay, Ala./Mobile Christian) will be in the bullpen to start the season, with Nick Hamby (So, D'Iberville/D'Iberville) and Dalton Meadows (Fr, Franklin County/Franklin County) expected to join them after coming back from injuries in a couple weeks.

Around the MACCC, Pearl River and East Central are in the NJCAA preseason top-five. Jones and Meridian join them in the top-20. 

"It's a new league, lots of new players," Allen said. "And that's the good thing about the junior college experience. You know, every year, you're bringing in a new team that can come in and compete and be right up there with it. So, I think it's pretty open."

Allen staff includes Kade Dees and Caleb Sterling, in addition to Stewart.

"All three of those guys have really been getting after it," he said. "They've attacked the recruiting side of it and getting our guys ready. Day to day, they really make my job easier."

They're leading the squad of Bulldogs for Allen's first foray into the head coaching ranks. He's been with the program at Perk for four years, stepping up to the top step of the dugout.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," Allen said. "You know, I've been around some programs where I've seen what's done the right way, and I've seen times you might want to change things. And now I get to kind of put my mold on a program and touch the lives of these boys and guide them. Now the season is starting, it's their season."

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