By Ronald Sims
PBR Mississippi Scouting Director

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Nanih Waiya vs Smithville

In a rematch of the 2016 1A state championship, the Warriors of Nanih Waiya defeated Smithville Seminoles by a score of 14-2 to take a one-game lead in the Class 1A Baseball State Championship.

Smithville would score first, off a two-run double by Blair and would hold the lead for three innings. Brady Jones, 2018 RHP, would eventually settle in giving the Warriors a solid six innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking one.

The Warriors would collect 13 hits on the day, and have a big offensive seventh inning scoring six runs taking a 14-2 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. Roper Ball would take the mound for Nanih Waiya and secure a 14-2 game one victory.

The Smithville Seminoles take the lead late in game two and defeat Nanih Waiya 4-2. The Seminoles were down 2-1 in the top of the seventh inning when Chris Lockhart singled off of Ben Cumberland, driving in two runs. This late lead would propel Smithville to victory in game two and force a deciding game three in the 1A championship series.

Game three would be a pitching duel from start to finish, although the Warriors outlast the Smithville Seminoles 1-0. The game was tied at zero with Nanih Waiya batting in the bottom of the seventh when Jake Kight, puts down a squeeze bunt, driving in one run, walking it off and claiming the 1A state championship crown for the Nanih Waiya Warriors.

Nanih Waiya squeezes to claim the 1A state championship trophy, 1-0.

Loyd Star vs East Union

Defending 2A state champions, the East Union Urchins 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 would get the start for Loyd Star in game one and threw a complete game shutout, allowing two hits while striking out 13 East Union hitters. Hodges would struggle with command in the first two innings, but settled down after that and took control of the Urchins the rest of the game. Behind Hodges on the mound and three late runs in the top of the seventh inning, the Loyd Star Hornets grabbed the 1-0 series lead over East Union, and are one win away from a 2A state title.

Cade Bell (East Union) and Parker Flowers (Loyd Star) would both have a quality outing in game two and give their teams a chance to win. Parker Flowers would strike out eight in the clinching game which was enough for Loyd Star to claim a 7-3 victory and sweep the 2A state championship series

Loyd Star dethrones defending champion East Union for the 2A title, 7-3.

 

Mooreville vs Seminary

The Seminary Bulldogs fall to the Mooreville Troopers in game one of the class 3A state championship. The Bulldogs of Seminary fall behind early 6-1, and could not overcome the overwhelming deficit, dropping game one of series 10-7.

Mooreville started Trace Henry on the mound, and through three innings the senior lefty kept the Bulldog lineup in check, allowing only one run on three hits during that span. Mooreville junior outfielder Andy Franks went 3 for 4, including a double and a triple with four RBIs, to lead the Troopers to a 10-7 victory against Seminary in game one of the class 3A state championship series.

Game two of the series was a hard fought battle by both sides, as Seminary loses the lead late and falls to a 6-5 defeat. The Seminary Bulldogs and the Mooreville Troopers were tied 5-5 in the top of the eighth inning when Brent Cummins (Mooreville) singled, advanced to third on a double by Jacob Hughes, and scored on a Hunter Brannigan's sacrifice fly to left. This run would give Mooreville a 6-5 advantage and a walk-off victory, claiming the class 3A state championship title.

Mooreville sweeps series and takes 3A state crown.

 

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