SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

April 10, 2024

Prep Baseball: Biloxi’s two man show of Fontenelle and Delaughter pushes Indians past St. Martin 1-0 Tuesday night

St. Martin infielder Jace jones makes a play on a ground ball vs. Biloxi Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

BILOXI — Biloxi used a two man show to win its fourth consecutive Region 4-7A game Tuesday night.
The Indians got a complete game, one-hit shutout on the mound from pitcher Logan Fontenelle and Chase Delaughter provided all the support he would need with three hits in a 1-0 win over visiting St. Martin here at the Biloxi Sports Complex.
The win gives Biloxi a little separation in the region race for the all-important fourth and final playoff seed, as the Indians move to an even 5-5 in the league standings. It’s the first time second-year head coach Hawtin Buchanan’s troops have been back at the .500 mark in the region race since the league opener.

Biloxi infielder Conner Lofton reaches out for a throw from his catcher on an attempted steal Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi’s Conner Lofton makes a play on a ground ball vs. St. Martin Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi starting pitcher Logan Fontenelle lets fly with a throw vs. St. Martin Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

“Hard fought game on both sides and really proud of our guys for how they competed,” Buchanan, whose team won Region 4-6A last season, said. “Logan was really good on the mound tonight and did what he’s done for us all year, and we were fortunate enough to have an inning where we got one across.”
And that happened in the second stanza, and Delaughter was involved. Will Parker walked to lead off the inning, and after an out Delaughter came up with his first hit of the contest when he singled on a line drive to right field. The Yellow Jacket defense misplayed the ball into a two base error, and Parker came all the way around from first with the game’s only run.
The win moved Biloxi up a spot in the region race, and now they stand just one game behind third place Harrison Central which fell to Gulfport Tuesday night. Ocean Springs continues to lead the league standings at 8-2, while Gulfport is 7-3 and HCHS 6-4.

St. Martin reliever Lincoln Hust prepares to deliver a throw home vs. Biloxi Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi infielder Conner Lofton makes a play on a ground ball vs. St. Martin Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

St. Martin infielders Jace Jones (left) and Caleb Lawrence react to a ground ball vs. Biloxi Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

St. Martin remains in fifth place at 3-7, but now sits two games behind Biloxi for the key fourth seed. D’Iberville sits in the cellar at 1-9.
Dealaughter’s game-high trio of hits also was the entire total for his team in the winning effort.
Meanwhile, Fontenelle was dealing goose egg after goose egg up on the visitor’s side of the scoreboard as he allowed just one single while striking out 10 and walking four in the solid performance to pick up the win on the hill.

Biloxi pitcher Logan Fontenelle reacts after a strike out vs. St. Martin Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi’s Chase Delaughter had all three of the Indians’ hits vs. St. Martin Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

St. Martin relief pitcher Jonathan Baughman lets fly with a throw vs. Biloxi Tuesday night in region play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Knute Robinson, one of a trio of Yellow Jacket pitchers, started and took the loss. He, Jonathan Baughman and Lincoln Hust all combined to limit the Indians to just the three singles off the bat of Delaughter. Baughman was particularly effective, working just over three full frames in relief of Robinson and keeping Biloxi at bay the rest of the way.
Both teams meet again Friday night in St. Martin.