Prep Baseball: Gautier completes three game sweep of Laurel to open Region 4-5A play
Gautier batter Robert Fernandez takes aim on a pitch Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
LAUREL — Last season, the Gautier High baseball team made the state playoffs for the first time in the almost three decade history of the program.
If recent action is any indication, the Gators have their sights set on qualifying for the post season again this year.
Gautier won three games in a three day span to open Region 4-5A play and surge into first place this week.
The Gators completed a league-opening sweep of Laurel on the road Thursday night 18-2 in just four innings. That decision came on the heels of a doubleheader sweep at home Tuesday night when the Gators thumped the Golden Tornadoes 18-2 and 14-0
Gautier pitcher Darrie Slay, Jr., delivers a throw to the plate Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Gautier batter Sebastian Gonzalez gets plunked with a pitch Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Gautier batter Sebastian Gonzalez takes a cut at the plate Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Gautier base runner Robert Fernandez slides into second Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Gautier batter Devon Garrett reacts from a close pitch Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
“We’re always happy to pick up district wins,” GHS third-year head coach Deion Ulmer said. “Each one is important, especially in a tough region like ours. We just want to continue to build and grow inside the game week by week, one series at a time.”
On Thursday, Darrie Slay, Jr., had a run-scoring triple for Gautier and Sebastian Gonzalez added a double. Tylan Moore and Fredrick Nicholson drove in a pair of runs apiece in the winning effort, while Slay and Robert Fernandez tallied two hits apiece for the Gators.
In this sequence of pictures, Gautier infielder Yaxiel Perez makes a diving attempt into the hole to stop a ground ball Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)In this sequence of pictures, Gautier infielder Yaxiel Perez makes a diving attempt into the hole to stop a ground ball Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)In this sequence of pictures, Gautier infielder Yaxiel Perez makes a diving attempt into the hole to stop a ground ball Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)In this sequence of pictures, Gautier infielder Yaxiel Perez makes a diving attempt into the hole to stop a ground ball Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)In this sequence of pictures, Gautier infielder Yaxiel Perez makes a diving attempt into the hole to stop a ground ball Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
Slay worked the four frame complete distance on the mound to pick up the pitching win.
Gautier resumes region play with a trip up Gautier-Vancleave Rd., Tuesday night to fave defending Class 5A state champion Vancleave.
In this sequence of pictures, Gautier infielder Yaxiel Perez reaches out for a throw down at second Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)In this sequence of pictures, Gautier infielder Yaxiel Perez reaches out for a throw down at second Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Gautier base runner Ronnie Bates slides safely into second Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Gautier batter Darrie Sly, Jr. turns away from a close pitch Thursday vs. Laurel. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Laurel infielder Jamel Abney reaches out to stab a line drive Thursday vs. Gautier. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
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