The Picayune Maroon Tide continue their strong start in Region 4-6A, claiming their second straight series sweep after taking three games from West Harrison this past week, capped by a 4-0 victory against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Picayune coach Evan Nichelson is pleased with how his team is off to such a great start in region play, but especially pleased with the pitching and defense his Maroon Tide displayed against the Hurricanes.
“I felt like we battled all week,” said Nichelson. “Our pitching and defense kept us in the games and gave us a chance to win.”
On Saturday, starting pitcher Cooper Moreaux gave up two hits, struck out two, and walked one in three-plus scoreless innings. He gave way to Kyler King in the fourth inning and the righthander allowed one hit and struck out three to close out the game.
“We left a lot of runners on throughout all three games, but we were able to come up with the big hit late,” said Nichelson. “That’s just a testament to how these guys are competing.”
Morgan Craft put the Tide up 1-0 in the first inning Saturday on a fielder’s choice.
Landon Watts had a two-run double in the fifth to put Picayune up 3-0. Moreaux added an RBI single in the sixth to cap the scoring.
Jamie Lumpkin paced Picayune with two hits.
Picayune took the first two games of the series 7-3 and 8-2.
Watts, who is batting .429 this season, had three hits and five RBIs in the series opener to lead the Tide. He had a two-run single in the fifth inning and a three-run triple in the ninth that broke open a 3-3 tie.
In Game 2, Moreaux had three doubles to lead the Picayune attack.
The Tide scored four runs in the second inning and never looked back. Landon Franklin drove in two runs and Watts, Lumpkin, King, and Helton each had two hits.
Pitcher Tanner Busby gave up just two runs in six innings to earn the win.
The Maroon Tide (12-5 overall, 6-0 in 4-6A) have won six straight heading into their region series showdown with George County (14-2, 5-1). It begins on Tuesday at Kent Kirkland Field.
The two teams play again Friday in Lucedale before wrapping up the series Saturday at 1 p.m. at The Kirk.
