By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

A state championship is on the minds of prep baseball and softball players and coaches this week in the “Southern Six” as all seven classifications will be involved in their respective region races.

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 is the first step.

Getting to Hattiesburg at The University of Southern Mississippi is the ultimate goal for every prep softball 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 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 and prep softball featuring stories and photos in the “Southern Six” counties of the state of Mississippi.

Each week, on Monday, 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” polls.

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 area standouts in prep baseball and softball that came up big for their respective teams in the the second week of region play last week:

1. Teegan Dewitt, Hancock — DeWitt, the senior standout versatile Lady Hawk product pitched a perfect game with 14 strikeouts in Hancock’s 4-0 win over Pascagoula last week in Region 4-6A play. She also went 4-for-5 with two triples and four RBIs in that win.
2. Max Bates, Vancleave — The senior infielder Bates had eight hits as the Bulldogs swept Gautier in three games to stay perfect at 6-0 in Region 4-5A play. He collected with two doubles and a triple and drove in four runs as the Bulldogs won 7-1, 23-2, and 6-5 decisions over the Gators.
3. Wiley Mossy, St. Stanislaus — Mossy, the junior outfielder for the Rock-A-Chaws, enjoyed a productive week at the plate as in three games he smacked a pair of home runs including a grand slam as SSC ended the week with a doubleheader sweep over Tylertown 16-0 and 10-0 in Region 8-3A play.
4. J.J. Morreale, Pearl River Central — Morreale, a sophomore center fielder for the Blue Devils,, helped the Blue Devils get off to a quick start in Region 3-6A play with a three game sweep over Terry as he went 6-for-9 at the plate with a triple, eight runs scored, six stolen bases, and two RBI’s as PRC posted 6-4, 10-0, and 17-2 wins over the Bulldogs.
5. Peyton Collins, George County— Collins, The Lady Rebels stalwart pitcher, tossed a four inning game-shortened perfect game with 10 strikeouts in the Lady Rebels’ 12-0 win over West Harrison in Region 4-6A action on Thursday. She has helped lead GCHS to an impressive 18-1 overall mark this season.

This Week’s Games (Baseball):

1. Picayune at George County — Tuesday in a big Region 4-6A battle for both teams.
2. D’Iberville at Biloxi— Tuesday in a key Region 4-7A game for both teams.
3. George County at Picayue — Friday in Region 4-6A play.
4. Gautier at East Central — Friday in Region 4-5A play.
5. Picayune at George County — Saturday in a big Region 4-6A battle for both teams.

South Miss 6 Sports Super 7 Polls

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

(March 30th edition)

(Our weekly polls are the ONLY ones in the state of Mississippi that’s voted solely on by a panel of head baseball and softball coaches)

Baseball:

1. Picayune 16-3
2. Vancleave 15-4
3. Ocean Springs 14-4-1
4. Pearl River Central 13-6
5. George County 10-8
6. St. Patrick 13-6
7. Gulfport 11-6

Softball:

1. George County 18-1
2. East Central 16-4
3. Hancock 14-3
4. St. Martin 11-7
5. Stone 12-6
6. Ocean Springs 13-10
7. Poplarville 9-6-1