SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

March 7, 2026

Prep Baseball: Battle at The Beach Day Two: Hancock earns win at Keesler Federal Park Friday

Hancock batter Roston Ragoon stands in as Etowah pitcher Landon Ward leys a throw fly home Friday afternoon. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
BILOXI — Day two of the 10th annual Battle at the Beach was the first for action at Keesler Federal Park.
And, Hancock enjoyed the different setting.
The Hawks moved to 7-2 on the season with a 7-5 win over Etowah, Ala., Friday afternoon at the home of the Biloxi Shuckers. Hancock is in its first-year under new head coach Neil Walther, who returned to the “Southern Six” this season after previously spending almost 17 years as the winningest head coach ever in Pearl River Central history.

In this sequence of photos, Hancock base runner Jaxton Necaise slides safely into home as Etowah catcher Jaxen Morgan tries to gather the throw Friday afternoon. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

“We’re off to a pretty good start,” Walther said. “We only have three guys with much varsity experience, with just 21 returning innings on the mound and I think we are making improvements each week. The speed of the game is faster than what most of them are used to, but each game they are getting more comfortable”
Friday afternoon, the Hawks got two hits and an RBI from freshman Kanyon Cuevas and Carson Harris drove in two runs as well in the win, while Jaxson Knight posted an RBI-double.
Hancock overcame an early 2-0 deficit by scoring all of its runs in a seven run second stanza and hold on to hold off the Blue Devils from Attalla, Ala., which is about five miles from Gadsden.

Hancock base runner Kanyon Cuevas dives back to first ahead of a pick off attempt vs. Etowah Friday afternoon. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

Etowah pitcher Landon Ward makes a play on a ground ball vs. Hancock Friday afternoon. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

Hancock base runner Hayden Ladner rounds third and heads toward home vs. Etowah pitcher Landon Ward leys a throw fly home Friday afternoon. (Photo by Jesse Johnson)

In addition to Harris, Knight and Cuevas, Hayden Ladner and James Steiler also drove in a run apiece in the winning effort.
Gavyn Cuevas went just over three innings on the hill to pick up the win.
Etowah fell to 2-10 with the loss.
Meanhwile, Saturday was a slow day for BATB play, and the annual affair will really start into full swing Monday.