By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

GAUTIER — Poplarville maintained a lock on the top spot in Region 8-4A with a 17-7 win over Moss Point Monday night.
The Hornets are just 9-9 overall, thanks to a tough non region schedule, but PHS stands at 4-1 in the region race as things got rolling for the third week in league play this week.
Moss Point is 0-3 in the loop and 2-12 overall.
The Hornets wasted no time in jumping out to a quick lead by scoring three runs in the first frame to take a lead they would never relinquish.

Poplarville’s Emile Pace carried the big stick in the winning effort with a pair of hits including a double and he drove in a game-high four runs. Chase Sones chipped in a pair of singles and a trio of RBIs in the game, while Brock Sheppard also added a pair of hits for the Hornets and Preston Smith drove in a pair of runs also.
The Tigers got a game-high three hits from Hunter Waltman and he also drove in a pair of runs in the loss. Javonte Penny also had two hits for MPHS.
Braden Babowski started and earned the win for Poplarville, while Aiden Evans started and took the loss for the Tigers.
The two teams are set to meet again in later this week in Poplarville.

Elsewhere in Region 8-4A play Monday night, Pass Christian kept pace with Poplarville atop the region race with a 12-8 win on the road in Leakesville over Greene County.
The Pirates stand 3-2 in league play and are now on a four game win streak and sit 4-11 overall as they settle into second place in the region. The Wildcats drop to 1-2 in the loop.
L.J. Jaynes, Kayleb Munsch and Landen Necaise all shared game-high hit honors with three apiece, while Necaise had a double and Steven Tinsley slapped a triple in the winning effort. Jaynes, Munsch, Skylar Summerville and Necaise all drove in a pair of runs apiece for the Pirates, while Aidan Mitchell had a pair of hits also.
Branden Necaise picked up the win on the mound for the Pirates, working just over five frames of work while striking out 11. Landon Green took the loss for GCHS.
Joshua Jordan had two hits and two RBIs for the Wildcats, while Brayden Bufkin and Jeffrey Helton added a pair of hits apiece and Eli Herring drove in two runs.
The teams are slated to face off again Thursday in the Pass to complete the two game, home and home series.
Bay High is off from region play this week.