DECATUR, Miss. — Few things can switch up faster than a baseball doubleheader, and No. 1 Pearl River proved that statement Tuesday night against No. 4 East Central.
The Wildcats had their backs up against the wall after getting run-ruled 10-0 by the Warriors in the opener but responded emphatically in game two by reversing the outcome and run-ruling ECCC, 11-1.
"It's baseball. If you watched today, you understand what a coach means by that," head coach Michael Avalon said. "We were a hit away from getting the left-hander out of the game in the opener and just didn't do it. In game two, we took control early against another really good pitcher.
"When we talked after the first game, I told the guys there was nothing we could do about it, but we had to respond. I was proud of them for doing that."
GAME ONE
Despite Pearl River (23-5; 3-1 MACCC) putting baserunners aboard in seven innings and only striking out five times in the opener, things didn't go PRCC's way against East Central (22-6; 4-2). The Wildcats repeatedly put the ball in play, but it did not fall.
East Central plated a run in the third, took advantage of a miscue in the seventh for four runs, and added the game-winning run in the eighth, taking the contest 10-0.
KK Clark (Brandon) threw five innings for the Wildcats. He allowed five runs, only one of which was earned. He gave up four hits and four walks, striking out four.
Colin Jenkins (Mt. Olive; Simpson Academy) threw 1 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on three hits. Peyton Lacy (Pass Christian) recorded one out, giving up two hits, one walk and one run. Landon Watts (Picayune) threw the final inning, allowing a run on two hits.
GAME TWO
The Wildcats needed an emphatic response in the second game and did just that. PRCC's offense put the ECCC starter on the ropes right from the start. Keegan Giger (Petal) led off with a single, and Jacob Keys (Brandon) promptly deposited a 0-1 pitch over the wall in left field for a momentum-flipping two-run blast. A few plays later, Jaxon Milam (Phenix City, Ala.; Glenwood Academy) reached on an error to allow a third run to score, 3-0.
Pearl River piled on three more in the second. With a runner aboard, Caston Thompson (Jayess; Brookhaven Academy) stepped into the left-handed batter's box. Five pitches into the at-bat, Thompson clobbered a ball over the wall in right-center field to push the Wildcats ahead 5-0. Jackson Hood (Madison; Germantown) was the next Wildcat to the plate, and he capped off a big second inning by thumping a ball deep over the left field wall for a solo shot, 6-0.
The Warriors got one back in the bottom of the second, fighting its way to a bases-loaded walk. Max Miller (Vancleave) worked himself out of trouble in the third and fourth innings, getting out of situations with runners in scoring position in both.
The Wildcats loaded up the bases in the fifth, but the Warriors turned a double play to close any threat of additional runs. PRCC turned to Camden Clark (Laurel; West Jones) in the sixth, and the freshman right-hander retired the side in order.
PRCC's offense made sure to put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth. Walks by Keys, Thompson and Ethan Garner (Gulfport) brought up Nico Williams (Gulfport). Williams had entered the game the previous inning on the basepaths and made a mistake, but he did all he could to make up for it. He worked himself into a 2-1 count before unloading on a pitch, sending a line drive laser over the wall in left field for a grand slam. The runs put the game into run-rule territory, 11-1.
"I knew I made a crucial mistake on the bases," Williams said. "I had to show up for my team. I tried not to do too much, and it worked out for me."
Clark went back out in the sixth and induced three quick pop-outs to wrap up the game.
Miller finished with four innings pitched, allowing one run on two hits and five walks. He punched out five. Clark threw two innings of hitless baseball. He had one punch out.
"I didn't think Max was sharp, and he will tell you that," Avalon said. "That kid is a competitor and a winner. He made big pitch after big pitch. He was the right guy for the job."
Thompson went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored. He walked once and bashed one home run. Logan Terry (Semmes, Ala.; East Central) was the only other Wildcat with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-3. Keys was 1-for-3 with three runs, two RBIs and a homer. Williams' lone hit was a grand slam, accounting for four RBIs and a run. Hood was 1-for-3 with a long ball.
NEXT UP
The Wildcats hit the road Saturday for a 2/5 p.m. doubleheader at Holmes. The game will be livestreamed at HolmesCCMedia.com.
Games will also be available over the air in Pearl River County by tuning into 1320-AM and 106.9 FM. The radio broadcast is also available at WRJWRadio.com and by downloading the WRJW app.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).