SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

April 19, 2025

Prep Baseball: “Good Friday” was just that for Pascagoula in nine inning win to break playoff drought

Pascagoula’s J.J. Trinidad (3) and Sean Norvell react in the ninth inning as the Panthers steadily increased their lead vs. West Harrison Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GULFPORT — The final day of the regular season was indeed a “Good Friday” for Pascagoula.

The Panthers returned to the state playoffs for the first time in four years with a big 13-6 Region 4-6A road win over West Harrison Friday in nine innings. The decision secured the fourth and final seed in the region race for PHS, and secured its first trip to the postseason since playing for the Class 5A state title in 2021.

The win also prevented the Panthers from missing out on the state playoffs for four straight seasons for the first time in almost 80 years.

Pascagoula batter Matt Dittsworth offers up a bunt vs. West Harrison Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pascagoula infielder Braden Smith makes a play on a ground ball vs. West Harrison Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pascagoula batter Willie Sims watches a close pitch approach the plate vs. West Harrison Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pascagoula infielder Braden Smith reaches out for a throw at second vs. West Harrison Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

“I am extremely proud of my players and staff for bouncing back from Thursday night’s game and being able to overcome some adversity to get the win.” second-year PHS head coach Colton Caver said. “Making the playoffs has always been a part of our goals, and I am happy for our players, school, and community!”

After a loss at home Thursday night prevented the Panthers from wrapping up that elusive playoff berth, PHS trailed 6-3 late in regulation to the home-standing Hurricanes in Friday’s rubber match.

But Caver’s crew rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth stanza to knot things up and then scored seven more in the second extra session to seal the deal.

West Harrison infielder Carlos Pena makes a play on a ground ball vs. Pascagoula Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

West Harrison pitcher Dezi Curley takes aim on home plate with a throw vs. Pascagoula Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

West Harrison batter Jesse Gill takes a cut at a pitch vs. Pascagoula Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

West Harrison infielder Jesse Gill reaches out for a throw as Pascagoula base runner Willie Sims approaches first Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Sebastian Ford and Carlos Fernandez each had an RBI-single in the sixth, and PHS tied the game up when Braden Smith drew a bases-loaded walk.

In the decisive ninth inning, PHS sent 11 batters to the plate to score those seven runs with Jose Ocasio’s two-run single the big blow.

J.J. Trinidad and Willie Sims had two hits apiece for PHS at the plate, with Trinidad registering a double and Knute Robinson a triple. Ocasio, Smith and Ford each had two RBIs apiece.

Sean Norvel pitched the final four frames to earn the win.

Pascagoula batter Nick Salvador offers up a bunt vs. West Harrison Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pascagoula infielder Matt Dittsworth makes a throw to first base vs. West Harrison Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

West Harrison catcher Dezi Curley reaches out for a throw vs. Pascagoula Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Pascagoula base runner J.J. Trinidad celebrates after scoring a ninth inning run vs. West Harrison Friday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

The Hurricanes collected 12 hits in the loss, as Reece Parker, Carlos Pena, Dezi Curley, Tyler Gazzier and Cameron Sandel all had two hits apiece. Parker recorded a triple and Pena a double, and Gazzier drove in two runs.

On Thursday night, West Harrison slipped past Pascagoula 4-3.

Parker had two hits, including a triple, for the Hurricanes.

Ryan Seymour hurled a complete game to pick up the pitching win.