By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

LAUREL — Gautier went on the road Tuesday night and when the Gators got back home they had the early lead in the Region 4-5A race.

The Gators swept Laurel in impressive fashion 10-0 and 21-3 in a league-opening doubleheader to move to 7-5 overall. More importantly, by playing a twinbill Tuesday and not having to make another trip to Laurel over the upcoming weekend, Gautier sits atop the Region 4-5A standings all alone at 2-0.

In the 10-0 win, Sebastian Gonzalez led the way at the plate with a game-high three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs in the win. Issac Lopez added two hits and an RBI to the winning effort, while Gregory Johnson added an RBI-double as well.

Matthew Tanner picked up the win on the hill for the Gators.

In the nightcap, Davis Adams collected a pair of hits including a double and he drove in as many runs as the entire Golden Tornadoes team with three RBIs. Tanner added a pair of doubles also.

Derrie Slay, Jr., picked up the win.

The two teams play Friday night in Gautier to wrap up the series.

Stone 15, Wayne County 5

In other Region 4-5A play Tuesday night, the Tomcats opened league play with a 10-run mercy rule win over the War Eagles.

Connor Tice, fresh off his duties as the Stone starting quarterback on the football field, wielded the big stick for the Tomcats in the five inning game as he smashed a grand slam in fourth frame and added a run-scoring double as well as he finished with a game-high five RBIs.

Anderson Hickman earned the pitching win for Stone as well, which moved to 4-8 overall with the win. 

George County 7, West Harrison 0

The Rebels went on the road as well to open Region 4-6A play and shutout the Hurricanes thanks to the pitching of Andrew Nielsen.

Nielsen hurled almost six stanzas striking out six and scattering three hits in picking up the win, while Canyon Reeves came on to finish up in relief.

George County led just 2-0 going into the top of the seventh but added five runs to break open the close contest and seal the win.

Gage Reeves had a pair of hits including a triple and drove in a pair of runs for the Rebels in the win, while Nielsen aided his own cause with a two-run double also.

Maddox Jackson had two hits for the Hurricanes. Landon Wallace took the tough luck loss for WHHS, despite a solid six frames of work to begin the game.

George County moved to 10-1 overall with the win, while WHHS stands 3-9.

Hancock 7, Long Beach 1

The Hawks enjoyed similar road results in their Region 4-6A opener against the Bearcats Tuesday night.

A four run fourth for Hancock broke open a 1-1 deadlock and gave the Hawks the lead for good.

Jaxon Knight carried the big bat on the night for Hancock, as he cracked three doubles and drove in a game-high three runs. Jude Ulrich also had two hits and Brandon Arcement drove in two runs as well.

 Matthew Cuevas tossed a complete game three-hitter to get the win, while striking out 10 and walking just two.

Ocean Springs 4, Biloxi 1

The home-standing Greyhounds knocked off the neighborhood rival Indians to open Region 4-7A play Tuesday night.

Maddox Moreland drilled a three run home run in the first frame for Ocean Springs to get the Greyhounds off to a quick start and they stayed on course for the win thanks to the pitching of Jack Jordan.

Jordan tossed his second consecutive complete game impressive outing, limiting Biloxi to just four hits while striking out five in earning the win.

Logan Fontenelle was almost as good for Biloxi on the hill, scattering just a pair of hits in his complete game outing but the one big blow by Moreland made the difference.

The rest of Region 4-7A action was delayed to Wednesday night, as Harrison Central hosts St. Martin and Gulfport hosts D’Iberville.