By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GULFPORT — There are four new head baseball coaches in the “Southern Six” this season.

And half of them will face on off against each other in their first outing at their new school Tuesday night.

A season-opening doubleheader takes place here at Herbert Wilson Field in Gulfport, with Biloxi and Picayune getting things started at 5 p.m.

Following that contest, the home-standing Admirals with new skipper Justin Edwards face off with Pearl River Central in the nightcap.

The Blue Devils are led by new mentor Buddy Turnage. It marks the first time PRC begins a new season with a new head coach in 17 years, since 2008.

Turnage replaces Neil Walther at the helm of the Blue Devils. The Louisiana transplant has some big cleats to fill in Carriere, as Walther was the most successful head coach in any sport, by far, at Pearl River Central High School. He was suspended from his duties as a coach and a teacher after a game in Hattiesburg on April 10th of last season.

No details surrounding his suspension or ensuing resignation were released by the school officials and both parties declined comment on the situation.

Walther was in the midst of his 17th season at the helm of the Blue Devils. Since the 2008 season, he compiled an impressive 329-169 record while winning seven district titles, 15 straight playoff appearances, three trips to the South State finals and the program’s only state title in 2017.

Turnage brings some impressive credentials with him just a bit north across the state line as he comes to Carriere from Pearl River (La.) High School.

The Rebels are coming off an impressive 2024 season that saw the team set a new single-season record for wins (29) and make a run to the Non-Select Division II overall semifinal round run for the third time in school history and the first time since 2000 before falling to North Vermillion 6-1. Pearl River lost nine seniors off of that squad.semifinals

Turnage, who also served as athletic director last season, said stepping away from the Rebels was a tough decision.

“I just felt like my race was run at Pearl River,” Turnage said. “I loved my time at Pearl River. It was a great experience. I wasn’t really looking anywhere, but the Pearl River Central job was intriguing. In the end, it was just a move that I needed to make for myself.”

Across the diamond in the home dugout will sit a new leader in charge of the Admiral program for the first time in 15 years.

Edwards left Vancleave after leading the Bulldogs to the Class 5A state championship last season to take over for long-time GHS head coach Jamie McMahon who retired after 14 successful seasons.

The Gulfport native Edwards, who was a prep standout at the former St. John’s High, led the Bulldogs to a 29-7 mark last season en route to capturing the crown.

Edwards was an assistant under McMahon for six seasons before leaving for the Vancleave post.

“I”m so excited to have the opportunity to return to my hometown as a head baseball Coach,” Edwards said, just after accepting his new job. “The last six years at Vancleave has been such a blessing. From administration to co-workers, students, athletes, and community members. It’s truly a special place that will always have a big place in my heart.”