Ronald Sims
Mississippi Scouting Director

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PEARL  ̶  the Prep Baseball Report Mississippi staff was on hand Tuesday at Trustmark Park for the first day of the MHSAA state championship series. The three games scheduled would be good matchups and our scouting staff was front and center for each.

OXFORD VS. PEARL RIVER CENTRAL

Two-time defending state champions Oxford Chargers look to be the heavy favorite, as they look to win third straight state title in as many years. The Pearl River Central Blue Devils are seeking their first championship in school history and used a big sixth inning to put them ahead, and take an 8-4 victory in game one.

Oxford takes an early, one run lead after scoring in the second inning on an error, and hold a two-run lead going into the fifth inning. Carson Stinnet, 2017 Hinds CC commit, would hold this lead for the Chargers and give them a solid six and two-third inning.

The Blue Devil offense starts to come alive in the fifth inning when Josh Kenney scores on a ground ball hit by Tristan Schlottman. Hayden Dunhust, 2019 catcher University of Mississippi recruit, would score the tying run in fifth on an infield ground out.

The Chargers would take the lead back in the sixth when Preston Perkins drives in two runs with a single and puts Oxford up 4-2 heading into the seventh inning. With the Blue Devils down two and back up to bat in the seventh, Hayden Dunhust, 2019 University of Mississippi recruit, ties game at four with base-clearing two-run double. Eli Lee, uncommitted 2018 1B, would follow with a triple to center field and score Dunhurst to put the Blue Devils ahead for the first time in the game 5-4.

The Chargers would make a pitching change, bringing in Reed Markle, 2018 RHP, but would not slow down Blue Devil’s bats as they collect three more runs, taking an 8-4 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. The Chargers would go quietly in the seventh and fall in game one, 8-4 to the Blue Devils of Pearl River Central. Pearl River looks to close out the series Friday at 1 p.m. and claim their first championship in school history.

Eli Lee, 1B, Pearl River Central, 2018
Hayden Dunhurst, Catcher, Pearl River Central, 2019
Joshua Kennedy, 2B, Pearl River Central, 2018
CJ Terrell, OF, Oxford, 2018
Preston Perkins, OF, Oxford, 2017
Drew Bianco, SS, Oxford, 2018, LSU recruit
Ben Bianco, Oxford, 2017, Louisville commit

SEMINARY VS. MOOREVILLE

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 kept the Bulldogs lineup in check, allowing only one run on three hits. Mooreville would force Wilson Lott (Seminary) out of the game early, posting three runs in the first inning, off an Andrew Peugh two-run double and a Cayson Hankins RBI infield single. Andy Franks would also lace a double, and walk in a run adding to the Mooreville lead, making it 6-1, going into the fourth inning.

Although Seminary scores three runs in the fourth and one in the fifth, it would not be enough as the Mooreville Troopers take game one 10-7, and look to close out series Thursday at 7 p.m.

Adarius Myers, OF, Seminary, 2018
Fisher Norris, DH, Seminary, 2018
Felix McCullum, OF, Seminary, 2017, William Carey commit
Andy Franks, OF, Mooreville, 2018

NANIH WAIYA VS. SMITHVILLE

Nanih Waiya Warriors scores 14 runs in the first game of the 1A state championship series against the Smithville Seminoles.

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.

Nanih Waiya would tie the game at two in the third inning and score two-run for next three innings, taking an 8-2 lead going into the seventh inning. 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 Warriors look to close out series and claim 1A state title on Friday at 4:00 p.m.

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