Prep Baseball: Hornets and Gators earn playoff spots in Region 4-5A with key wins
East Central’s Christian McFaul earned the pitching win as the Hornets wrapped up a three game sweep of Wayne County Friday afternoon. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)
By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
Both East Central and Gautier enjoyed productive weeks in Region 4-5A action this week.
And as a result, both have qualified for the upcoming Class 5A South State playoffs which begin next week.
Vancleave won the region title for the second straight season, while East Central finished second, Wayne County third and Gautier fourth.
East Central’s Jaxon Cripps enjoyed a productive series at the plate vs. Wayne County this week to wrap up Region 4-5A play. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)East Central’s Anthony Tanner reacts after finding out his Hornets will open the Class 5A South State playoffs at home this season. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Veteran East Central head coach Bo Long has his Hornets back in the state playoffs once again. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)
In Hurley Friday afternoon, East Central wrapped up the regular season by completing a three game sweep of Wayne County. The three wins, including a 13-3 decision in the series finale, secured the Hornets the second seed in the region race and assured them of home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
East Central clinched the second seed with an 8-5 win in Waynesboro Thursday night. The Hornets jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the fourth frame and rolled to the win.
Jaxon Cripps had a game-high three hits, including a pair of doubles for ECHS in the win. Hunter Prouty picked up the pitching win.
Stone infielder Braxton Jones hauls in a throw at second base as Gautier base runner Sebastian Gonzalez rounds into the bag. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone infielder Braxton Jones hauls in a throw at second base as Gautier base runner Sebastian Gonzalez rounds into the bag Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone base runner Kellan Burge slides safely into home plate as Gautier catcher Fredrick Nicholson reacts Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone head coach Sean Miller goes through some ground rules with Gautier head coach Deion Ulmer Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone infielder Ayden Obenhaus hauls in a catch at first base vs. Gautier Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
On Friday, a seven run second stanza set the tone for the home team as ECHS completed the sweep.
Matthew Combs had a game-high three hits, including a double, while Cripps also had a double among his two hits and he drove in a game-high four runs. Anthony Tanner and Brody Long added two hits apiece for the Hornets.
Christian McFaul earned the win on the hill.
Meanwhile, in Gautier Friday afternoon, Stone salvaged the final game of that three game series with a 5-1 win.
Stone catcher Nolan Scott grabs a throw home and braces for the arrival of Gautier base runner Sebastian Gonzalez Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone catcher Nolan Scott applies the tag to Gautier base runner Sebastian Gonzalez Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone infielder Ayden Obenhaus tags Gautier base runner Caden Jones Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone base runner Dalton Danzey heads towards first base vs. Gautier Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone base runner Jhase Jackson heads towards third base vs. Gautier Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone base infielder Ayden Obenhaus tags Gautier base runner Ronnie Bates as he dives back to first Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
However, Gautier’s 4-3 win on the road in Wiggins Thursday night gave the Gators the series and the fourth and final seed in the region race.
Fredrick Nicholson drove in two runs for the Gators and Sebastian Gonzalez went the distance on the mound to get the win in the key encounter.
Stone pitcher Dalton Danzey lets fly with a throw vs. Gautier Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone pitcher Braxton Jones delivers a throw towards home plate vs. Gautier Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone batter Jhase Jackson prepares for a pitch at the plate vs. Gautier Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone batter Braxton Jones takes a cut at the plate vs. Gautier Thursday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Stone batter Kellan Burge watches the flight of the ball from the box Thursday night vs. Gautier. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
Leave a Reply