By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

George County and Picayune went head-to-head all season long last year in a battle for the top spot in Region 4-6A.

This season, if early indications matter, it appears as if that could be the case once again this season.

Both the Rebels and Maroon Tide got off to resounding starts in the region race Tuesday night in their respective league openers, as GCHS stopped West Harrison 10-0 and Picayune thumped Pascagoula 14-2.

Both wins came at home and both ended in just five innings.

At Kent Kirkland Field in Picayune, the Maroon Tide tallied 11 runs in the first two innings to quickly take command and cruise to the big win.

Turner Pugh was key in that early explosion as he had a two-run double in the first frame and added a solo home run to lead off the second stanza. CooperMoreaux had a pair of RBI-singles in the Tide’s first two at bats as well.

Parker Helton’s two-run home run in the fourth frame ended the proceedings prematurely for Picayune.

Both Pascagoula runs scored on Jarrad Loper’s two-run double in the top of the second.

Pugh and Moreaux each had a pair of hits apiece to pace Picayune at the plate, while Justin Stockstill drove in a game-high three runs.

Willie Sims had two hits for the Panthers.

Kendall Blevins worked four frames and struck out six to take the pitching win for Picayune.

Ra’Shard Earnest started and took the loss for Pascagoula.

Meanwhile, at Claude Passeau Field in Lucedale, George County dispatched West Harrison in fine fashion by double digits as well.

The Rebels got started right off the bat with three runs in the first frame thanks in large part to a two-run double by Grant Reeves.

A run-scoring triple by Reeves in the third frame made it 5-0, and when he trotted home a few pitches later on a wild pitch it was 6-0.

A two-run double by Cayler Havard in the fourth inning made it 8-0, and GCHS ended things early soon after that.

Rebel senior catcher Blaine Green had a game-high three hits for the home team, while Havard and Reeves each collected a game-high three RBIs apiece as well.

Reece Parker had two hits for the Hurricanes, including a double.

George County ace Preston McAdory went the shortened distance for the Rebs to pick up the pitching win, striking out six and walking one.

Dezi Curley completed the game for WHHS on the hill also and took the loss.

Both of these Region 4-6A series resume Friday night and finish up on Saturday.