Jackson beat BRCC with 3rd HR

PERKINSTON — Dom Jackson's third home run of the game decided things Thursday at Ken "Curly" Farris Field. His solo blast in the ninth gave Mississippi Gulf Coast an 11-10 win over Baton Rouge. 

"It's something to see," Bulldogs coach Zach Allen said. "That guy, every time he goes up there, he's got a chance to leave the yard. When you see him really lock in on those at-bats, he's got a chance to be the best hitter in the league."

The Bulldogs moved to 3-0 on the young season thanks to their powerful offense. Kaden Irving (So, Gautier/Gautier) also homered, and the club fought back from an 8-4 deficit to win.

Jackson's first home run gave Gulf Coast its first lead of the day. They went up 3-2 in the second, adding another run in the inning on a passed ball.

But Baton Rouge (0-2) tied it in the third, added a run in the fourth and three on a fifth-inning homer for an 8-4 lead.

Jackson, a sophomore from Gulf Breeze, Fla., belted his second homer in the seventh to get Gulf Coast within one, and Irving clubbed his over the batter's eye two hitters later for a 10-9 lead.

After Baton Rouge tied it in the eighth, Jackson hit a 3-2 pitch out of the park to end it.

"That's a huge thing for us," Allen said. "You see a team go up, and those guys swung the bats well, that's a good team over there. To go down 8-4 and never to give up is great."

Irving and Jacob Palazzo (So, Biloxi/Gulfport) had two hits, and Brandon Coakley (Fr, Covington, La./Covington) doubled.

The Bulldog pitching staff gave up 17 hits, but there were bright spots throughout the game.

"They swung it really well, but they had 50 batters, and we only walked three," Allen said. "Coach (Chase) Stewart's really been on those guys to pound the zone. We're not walking guys, so I'll take it. Maybe we need spin a few more breaking balls in the dirt. We're not walking the house. I think our offense can keep us in games."

Gulf Coast plays a split doubleheader Saturday in Bay Minette, Ala. The Bulldogs play Miami Dade at 11 a.m. and Central Alabama at 4 p.m.

For more information on MGCCC's 12 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.