By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

For the first time in five years, East Central won’t open the region part of its baseball schedule against longtime arch-rival Vancleave.
Instead, the Hornets will head to Laurel Tuesday night with a 6-7 record under the direction of new head coach Stephen Garrard as they face Northeast Jones to kick off Region 4-5A action.

East Central wrapped up a hit-and-miss outing in the 10th annual Battle at the Beach last week by splitting a doubleheader Thursday at Gulfport High. The Hornets thumped Horn Lake 17-0 in just four innings before falling to Mountain Brook (Ala.) 6-1.
Brody Long led ECHS with two hits, while both Brody Platt and Pacey Baria each drove in three runs apiece as Platt had a triple and Baria a double. J.T. Wilson also had a triple for the Hornets in the big win.
Christian McFaul and Braden Herndon each pitched two innings apiece and combined on a no-hitter.
Then, in the loss to Mountain Brook, Baria led ECHS with two hits and Anthony Bonfiglio had a double.
Long took the loss on the hill.