By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

After an outstanding season on the diamond at the University of Maryland, former East Central High standout Hollis Porter is on the move again.

Porter recently announced that he was transferring to Texas Tech and the Big 12 after his one season in College Park playing in the Big Ten. He quickly made his mark with the Terrapins, as he ranked third on the team with a .303 batting average and also led Maryland with 21 home runs and 64 runs batted in and was second on the Terps in doubles with 13.

The versatile 6-foot-4 standout Porter started all 59 games this season for the Terps, mostly at first base, and was second on the team with 70 total hits.

Porter, a big part of the 2022 ECHS Class 5A state championship squad, originally signed with Mississippi State before bouncing back to Pearl River Community College. An impressive campaign in Poplarville resulted in him signing with Maryland.

PRC’s Johnson honored

Speaking of PRCC, former Pearl River Central standout Jacob Johnson was recently honored with Juco All-American status after a solid season in Poplarville.

Johnson cracked the starting rotation early in the season for Pearl River and never looked back. He finished the year with a 2.28 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through 71 innings pitched. He struck out 70 batters, allowing 24 walks and 18 earned runs. He ended the season with 12 wins, tied with KK Clark for first on the team and second nationally. Johnson sent Pearl River to the World Series by throwing seven innings of scoreless baseball against East Central, allowing just three hits. 

Prior to being named Honorable Mention All-American, Johnson was previously named First Team All-MACCC and All-Region 23. He now heads to Auburn for the 2026 season.

Gautier’s Irving stands out

Mississippi Gulf Coast put three players on the All-MACCC baseball team, including former versatile Gautier High stalwart Kaden Irving

The conference’s coaches selected the team.

Irving, a sophomore corner infielder from Gautier, batted .350 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI. He was fourth in the MACCC with homers and sixth in RBI. Irving also got plunked 20 times, sixth-most in the league. He slugged .633, sixth best.

Bulldogs head coach Zach Allen indicated that Irving hasn’t decided on his next destination just yet, while he’s finishing up making some official visits, but he could decide in the very near future.