By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

For the first time ever in the long and storied history of prep baseball in the state of Mississippi, seven state championship trophies will be awarded next month. 

Getting to Trustmark Park in Pearl is the ultimate goal for every prep baseball player on every team in the state of Mississippi when the season tips off. And playing well in region action and earning a top four seed in the region and qualifying for the state playoffs is the first step.

Each week until the overall state tournament starts in mid-May, SouthMiss6 Sports will be the place to be to keep up with the most complete and comprehensive info about all things prep baseball featuring stories and photos in the “Southern Six” counties of the state of Mississippi.

Each week we will take a look at at least five players and five games to keep an eye on as well as release our weekly “Super 7 in the Southern 6 Poll”.

Around the Diamond in the “Southern 6”

This week’s “Around the Diamond in the Southern 6” players list is comprised of some of the top single game performances in action from the past week. 

1. Brendan Necaise, Pass Christian — The Pirates pulled out a 1-0 win behind the pitching of the versatile multi-sport standout Necaise Saturday night in a game to keep their season alive. Necaise struck out 13 batters and scattered just three hits in the impressive performance, as the Pirates evened up the series at 1-1 and went on to win it Monday night.
2. Nate Trochessett, East Central —  In a solid 12-3 road win in Waynesboro Saturday afternoon to close out the regular season above the .500 level in the region race at 8-7 and secure a state playoff bid, Trochessett wielded the big stick on the day for ECHS as he drove in a season-high five RBIs on two hits including a two-run home run.
3. Chris Fox, Ocean Springs — The Greyhounds raced into Herbert Wilson Field and grounded Gulfport 9-5 Saturday afternoon to capture the Region 4-7A title outright. Fox smacked a two-run home run for OSHS in the first inning to get the Greyhounds off to a good start. 
4. Ben Davis, George County — For the second consecutive night, Davis smacked a home run against Hancock Friday and for the second straight night the Rebels won a close Region 4-6A battle over Hawks by scoring two runs in their final at bat to clinch the top seed in the league. Davis also led off the ninth inning Thursday night with a solo homer.
5. The Gautier Gators —  On Saturday afternoon, Gautier traveled to Wiggins and pulled out a huge 15-4 win over the Tomcats in just five frames to secure the fourth and final seed in the playoff chase in Region 4-5A. It marks the first-ever playoff appearance for the Gators in the 28-year history of the baseball program. Gautier needed the win to make the playoffs or else Wayne County would have earned the final spot in Region 4-5A. Gregory Johnson went the distance on the hill to pick up the win as the Gators exploded for six runs in the fourth frame and seven more in the fifth to break open a 2-2 tie and keep their season alive. Frederick Nicholson smashed a three run home run for Gautier, while Enrique Flores had two hits and drove in two runs and Johnson helped himself at the plate with a pair of hits and a pair of RBIS also.

This Week’s Games:

1. Oak Grove at Gulfport —  Friday in game one of their Class 7A South State series.
2. Hattiesburg at Picayune — Friday in game one of their Class 6A South State series.
3. Brandon at Biloxi — Saturday in game two of their Class 7A South State series.
4. Purvis at Pass Christian — Saturday in game two of their Class 4A South State series.
5. South Jones at Gautier — Saturday in game two of their Class 5A South State series.

South Miss 6 Sports Super 7 Polls

Super 7 in the Southern 6 Prep baseball and softball Polls!!!!

(March 18th edition)

(Our weekly poll is the ONLY one in the state of Mississippi that’s voted solely on by a panel of head coaches)

Baseball:

1. Pearl River Central 24-5
2. George County 22-3
3. Vancleave 21-6
4. Ocean Springs 16-9
5. Gulfport 17-10
6. Resurrection 21-4
7. Picayune 19-7

Softball:

1. East Central 19-4
2. George County 18-5
3. Hancock 16-3-1
4. Ocean Springs 20-7
5. D’Iberville 17-6
6. Gulfport 17-7-1
7. Vancleave 13-7