SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

May 6, 2025

Prep Baseball: New head coach, same South State destination for PRC after sweep of Hattiesburg

PRC infielder Talon Cipriano makes a throw towards first Monday night vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

HATTIESBURG — Despite a controversial coaching change, Pearl River Central is right back in the Class 6A South State title tilt for the second straight season.

The Blue Devils roughed up home-standing Hattiesburg 14-9 Monday night to complete a two game sweep of the Tigers in the Class 6A South State semifinals. The win moves PRC to 19-11 on the season under first-year head coach Buddy Turnage and into a match-up with defending Class 6A state champion George County for the second consecutive year in the south state title tilt.

The Blue Devils are looking for just the second state championship in program history after winning their first in 2017.

PRC batter Eric Mavor, Jr., makes contact at the plate Monday night vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

PRC base runner Landyn Wilson slides safely into home Monday night vs. Hattiesburg.(Photo by Jesse Johnson)

PRC catcher Sam Tuminello looks on as Tiger batter Andrew Jordan makes contact with the ball Monday night vs. Hattiesburg.(Photo by Jesse Johnson)

PRC pitcher Cole Bounds lets fly with a throw from the mound Monday night vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

Turnage’s crew combined to register 30 runs in the two wins over Region 3-6A rival Hattiesburg in the two games. PRC won four out of five games overall over the Tigers this season.

On Monday night, PRC continued its momentum over after a 16-1 win in game one Friday night banging out 14 hits and scoring a like number of runs.

Landyn Wilson recorded game-high totals in both hits with three and RBIs with four including a two-run single in the first frame and a two-run single in the third to help PRC to an early 7-5 lead.

PRC base runner Talon Cipriano slides into third Monday night vs. Hattiesburg.(Photo by Jesse Johnson)

Hattiesburg pitcher Amarie Hill follows through in his delivery to the plate Monday night vs. PRC. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

PRC pitcher Eric Mavor, jr., takes aim on home plate Monday night vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

PRC infielder Parker Harper surveys the situation from second Monday night vs. Hattiesburg. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

After the Tigers clawed back within one at 7-6, PRC tallied four ore runs in the top of the fifth thanks to RBI-singles by Blake Gill, Talon Cipriano and Parker Harper to secure the win.

Gill, Harper, Sam Tuminello and J.J. Morreale all collected two hits apiece in the winning attack as well, while Tuminello had a double and drove in three runs and Eric Mavor, Jr., had two RBIs.

A pair of freshman, Cole Bounds and Mavor, combined time on the mound as Bounds started and worked three frames for the win and Mavor finished up to seal the deal.