By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

LUCEDALE — It took an extra inning, but Picayune salvaged the final game of its key Region 4-6A series with George County Saturday afternoon.

The Maroon Tide roughed up the Rebels with six runs in the top of the eighth inning en route to a 15-9 win here at Claude Passeau Field after dropping the first two games of three game affair. The results leave GCHS alone in the top spot in the region race at 7-2, while Picayune sits a game behind at 6-3 and in sole possession of second place.

“I was proud of the way our guys responded and the resiliency they showed yesterday after dropping the first two games of the series,” Maroon Tide head coach Evan Nichelson said. “George County is very good baseball team. To be able to pick up that win and stay in the race was huge.”

Colt Robertson’s grand slam was the big blow for Picayune in that decisive extra frame. Both the run total of 15 and the Maroon Tide’s 16 total hits are season-high marks allowed by the defending Class 6A state champion Rebels.

Robertson and his teammate Parker Helton combined to do the most damage at the plate for Picayune, as both had three hits apiece including a home run each. Helton, who also collected a pair of doubles, also drove in a game-high five runs to go with Robertson’s four RBIs. Cooper Moreaux had two hits, including a home run and a triple, and drove in three runs while Justin Stockstill had two hits including a double and two RBIs.

Cayler Havrd socked a three-run home run for the Rebels, and he had two hits and drove in four runs in all. Picayune out-hit GCHS 16-6.

Landon Franklin worked the final four frames allowing just one run to pick up the pitching win for Picayune.

George County trotted out eight different hurlers to the hill, with H. Havard taking the loss.

On Friday night, George County followed the pitching pair of Carson Pierce and Canyon Reeves to a 6-2 road win over Picayune at Kent Kirkland Field.

The effective Rebel duo combined on a two-hitter as Pierce got the win with five frames of work and Reeves earned a save with two scoreless innings of relief striking out five in the process.

Tripp Lightsey had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run for the Rebels, while Havard had two hits and an RBI as well. Reeves added a two-run single to the winning effort also.

Helton had two hits for the Tide and Moreaux had a two-run double.

Robertson worked six stanzas and took the loss on the mound.