By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

A trio of Jackson County squads picked up much needed wins on the diamond Tuesday night.

In Region 4-6A play, Pascagoula slipped past Hancock 4-2.

In Region 4-5A action, East Central thumped Stone 16-4 while Vancleave beat Gautier 7-1.

In Pascagoula, Jose Ocasio had a two-run single as well as an RBI-double to pace the Panthers past the Hawks. His three hits and three RBIs were both game-high totals.

Ra’Shard Earnest started on the hill and worked the first four frames to earn the win, while Willie Sims ended the game with three solid and hit-less innings of work striking out five to earn a save.

Jude Ulrich had a double for HHS. Ayden Howard took the loss.

The win moves PHS o 2-2 in the region race while the Hawks are 1-3 with their third straight loss. Both teams are back at it at Tillman Field Thursday night in game two.

Meanwhile, in Wiggins Tuesday night, East Central picked up its first Region 4-5A win of the season thumping home-standing Stone 16-4.

Gage Demazio had two hits and drove in three runs for the Hornets, while Brody Long, Pacey Baria and Anthony Tanner all drove in two runs apiece for ECHS. Tanner had a double, while Matthew Combs and Wyatt Garrad each had two hits also in the winning effort.

Porter Martin picked up the pitching win, while Jaxson Miller took the loss for Stone.

Ayden Obenhaus slapped a solo home run for the Tomcats while Jayden Collins had a double.

Elsewhere, in the “Battle of Gautier-Vancleave Rd.”, the Bulldogs remained unbeaten in Region 4-5A play with that 7-1 win.

Hunter Harper wielded the big stick at the plate with a two-run home run and he also picked up the win on the hill working six solid stanzas and striking out six while scattering just two hits.

He got more support offensively from teammate Max Bates who collected a game-high four hits including a triple and a double and drove in a game-high three runs as well, while Aidan Tapp, Martin Shaw and Conner Mitchell each added two hits apiece for the Bulldogs.

Tylan Moore and Fredrick Nicholson each had a double for the Gators.

Herion Figueroa took the loss for GHS.