By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

Hancock maintianed pace with PRC atop the Region 4-6A standings Tuesday night.

The Hawks got a grand slam from senior standout Jaxson Knight, and he also hurled a complete game one-hitter with eight strike outs on the hill to pick up the pitching win as well in an 9-2 road win over Gautier.

Knight finished up with game-high totals of three hits and five RBIs as Hancock moved to a solid 17-2 overall and 7-0 in the region race. Roston Ragon had two hits and Dawson Ahlers drove in two runs in the winning effort as well.

Darrie Slay also went the distance for the Gators and took the loss.

The loss by Gautier, and a subsequent win by Long Beach in league play Tuesday night, places a trio of teams at 1-6 and knotted up in last place and fighting for the fourth and final seed behind third place Picayune in the standings.

That’s because in other region action, the Bearcats nipped visiting Pascagoula 5-4 in eight innings to come up with their first league win of the season Tuesday night.

S.J. Valentine doubled to lead off the bottom of the eighth and came around to score on a wild pitch for the game-winning run.

Aiden Downey also had an RBI-double for Long Beach. He also came on to pitch the top of the eighth and pick up the win.

Both Willie Sims and Niko Salvador each had two hits apiece for PHS.

Sims took the loss with one inning of work.

Mid-way through the region race, the Panthers, Bearcats and Gators are all sitting at 1-6.

Thursday in the loop, PRC hosts Picayune and Hancock hosts Gautier then on Friday Long Beach travels to Pascagoula while the Hawks head back to Gautier and then on Saturday the Maroon Tide hosts PRC again and the Bearcats host PHS as well.