By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

BILOXI — Action in the 10th annual Battle at the Beach encompasses seven venues across the Mississippi Gulf Coast on Thursday, as the event heads down the last stretch.
However, for the only time in the annual affair, Keesler Federal Park will host action in back-to-back for the only time this year.
And that portion of the schedule features a pair of homegrown teams.
George County takes on Hernando at 5 p.m., and St. Martin takes on Petal at 7:30 both at the home of the Biloxi Shuckers.

Then, on Friday, Picayune takes on West Harrison at 5 p.m., and Harrison Central meets Fort Payne, Ala., at 7:30 p.m.

In addition, East Central jumps into the fray with two games on Thursday, both at Herbert Wilson Field in Gulfport. The Hornets takets take on Horn Lake in a schedule change at at 3 p.m., and follow that up with a meeting against Mountain Brook (Ala.) at 5:30 p.m.
Elsewhere, Biloxi High is also a host site Thursday and the host Indians will take on Madison St. Joe at 7 p.m., while Vancleave hosts Briarcrest Christian at 7 p.m., as well.
Rea Returns
The 10th annual Battle at the Beach marked the return of former Ocean Springs High head coach Brian Rea to the Mississippi Gulf Coast also.
Rea, who served seven seasons at the helm of the Greyhounds, is now the head baseball coach at Nettleton High School.

His Tigers went 21- in three games over Tuesday and Wednesday, including splitting a doubleheader back in his old Greyhound Park stomping grounds on Tuesday.
Nettleton beat North Delta in game one and ell to simpson Academy in game two 1-0.
Then, on Wednesday morning, Rea took his Tigers to Biloxi High and beat Madison St. Joe 3-2 before hitting the road back to North Mississippi.
Bump in the Road
And Speaking of Ocean Springs, the Greyhounds opened BATB action at home Monday night with an exciting 2-1 win over Jackson Prep Monday night to move to 12-0 on the season.
However, that would be the end of that season-opening win streak.
The Greyhounds then fell 6-2 to Madison-Ridgeland Academy on Tuesday night and followed that up with a 8-5 defeat at the hands of Madison Central Wednesday night to close out their part of the schedule in the 10-day event.