Bulldogs need to clean up to beat PRCC

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast has played Pearl River twice this season, and both times come out it with regret.

The Bulldogs don't want to feel any regret after the two teams meet in the MACJC semifinals Monday at 4 p.m. in Raymond.

"We have to not make mistakes," Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy said. "In both games we've played Pearl River this year, we've made very clear mistakes that really affected the game before it even got going."

Pearl River (9-2-1) won the MACJC South title and beat Gulf Coast (12-6) by scores of 2-0 at Poplarville and 6-0 at Perkinston.

The Bulldogs advanced to the semis by beating shutting out Itawamba 2-0 Wednesday in Fulton. Griffin Bush (So., Pearl/Pearl) and Christian Inchima (Fr., St. Edmond Campion/Brampton Ontario) scored, and Isaiah Gore (Fr., Laurel/Laurel) stopped all six shots he faced.

The teams will be playing the third game of the day on the Hinds field, but Handy isn't worried about conditions for two reasons after the tournament was delayed two days by heavy rains. Both teams will play on the same field, and it's got a good history of handling rains.

That means the team which plays best will advance to the finals on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

"We're not going to accidentally win the game," Handy said. "We're going to have to play well and we're going to have to beat them. They're not going to make mistakes, and as long as we don't, the outcome will be interesting."

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