Ronald Sims
Mississippi Scouting Director

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Tupelo vs. Gulfport (Game 1)

The Tupelo Golden Wave had the final say in a classic pitcher's duel in game one of the 6A state title series against the Gulfport Admirals. The Admirals would fall 2-1 on Wednesday on the final play of the game.

Gulfport has managed to win tight ball games all season, but the Admirals failed to drive a runner in, despite getting two men on with none out in the eighth inning.

The pitching on the day was strong on both sides. Meridian Community College signee, Jackson Bridges got the start for Tupelo and threw a complete game allowing one run on four hits while walking four and striking five out. Bridges sat 86-89 mph with fastball and showed a breaking ball with 11/5 shape at 74-75 mph. Bridges also went 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Patrick Nelms, 2018 RHP/3B, was the only Admiral with multiple hits, going 2-for-3. Nelms was also solid for Gulfport on the mound, not giving up an earned run through the first seven innings. Nelms allowed one earned run on six hits in seven innings, striking out four and walking three.

The game was tied at one with Tupelo coming up to hit in the bottom of the eighth inning. Bridges laced a ball to centerfield, allowing the winning run to score, and giving the Golden Wave a 2-1 walk-off win over Gulfport Wednesday night at Trustmark Park.

 

Corinth vs West Lauderdale (Game 1)

The Corinth Warriors used its big first inning to grab a 5-3 win Wednesday in game one of the 4A championship series against West Lauderdale Knights.

West Lauderdale would start Chance Denson, 2018 RHP Alabama recruit, but he would only go three innings, surrendering three earned runs on five hits. Denson struggled to command the fastball and Corinth hitters were able to tack advantage early. Denson did, however, showcase his strong arm touching 92 mph with his fastball.

The Knights did have a strong day offensively out hitting Corinth twelve to five, but they would fail to get the big hit with runners in scoring position. Although Kyle Crigger, 2017 Itawamba Community College signee, gave up twelve hits, he was able to limit the damage throwing a complete game, allowing three runs. Crigger was up to 89 mph with fastball and showed breaking ball with10/4 shape at 74-76 mph.

Corinth took a 3-0 lead into the second inning before the Knights scored when Kameron Partridge, 2019 RHP/SS crossed home after Jake Mason, 2017 Jones County Junior College signee, reached first base on a Corinth fielding error. Tyler Lantz, 2017 Meridian Community College signee, added the Knights’ second run with a RBI single to right field, scoring Cole Hurst.

The early runs would prove to be too much for West Lauderdale, as they fall in game one 5-3. With the game one loss, West Lauderdale finds itself in unfamiliar territory as it prepares for their game two match-up.

Loyd Star vs East Union (Game 1)

Defending 2A state champions, the East Union Urchains would meet a familiar opponent as they face the Loyd Star Hornets in a rematch of the 2016 2A state finals.

Cade Hodges, 2018 RHP got the start for Loyd Star and threw a complete game shutout, allowing two hits while striking out 13 East Union hitters. Hodges was able to command two pitches for strikes with his fastball velocity up to 89 mph. Hodges improves to 10-1 on the year with 107 strikeouts in 71.1 innings and a 0.88 ERA.

The defending 2A state champions look to bounce back on Thursday in game two of the three-game series.

 

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