When the Gautier Gators baseball team takes the diamond Friday in Ellisville, it will mark the first time in school history the Gators have played in the state tournament. That’s a 27-year drought going back to the first year of the school in 1997.
The Gators (12-13 overall, 7-8 in region play) have a daunting task as they face 23-5 South Jones, which is ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 5A by most polls.
Game time is 7 p.m. for Friday’s opener in the best-of-three series. The Gators will host Game 2 on Saturday at 3 p.m. The teams will return to Ellisville on Monday and play at 7 p.m. should a third game be needed.
While reaching the playoffs was a goal at the beginning of the season, second-year coach Deion Ulmer said the goal now is to go as far as possible.
“I was happy to see all the hard work pay off,” said Ulmer, who was the coach at Laurel for three years. “It’s been a short-term goal for us to get into the playoffs. The hard work is paying off. Now we don’t just need to be happy to be here, we need to play like we belong here.”
Adding an ironic touch to the series is that South Jones is Ulmer’s alma mater. He played his sophomore and junior years at Laurel before transferring to South Jones, which is five minutes down the road in Ellisville, for his senior season.
“It’s exciting. A lot of family and friends reached out to me and they are looking forward to us playing up there,” he said.
“We understand what they do as a program. I know the expectations. We know we’ve got to go play good baseball. Have to be on our game.”
Ulmer said South Jones has two Division 1-caliber pitchers in right-handers Cole Richardson and Dillon Causey.
“They are two of the best arms in the state,” he said.
The Mustangs like to apply pressure on offense with bunts and hit and run, Ulmer said.
“They don’t allow defenses to take plays off. They apply pressure like any team should. We have to be focused mentally. We have to play a clean defensive game to give ourselves an opportunity to win.”
Ulmer will hand the ball to left-hander Brayden Johnson on Friday. Ulmer said he hasn’t decided on his Game 2 pitcher.
“Brayden does a very good job locating his pitches,” Ulmer said. “He has three pitches and mixes speeds up very well. He keeps his composure. He’s a guy I have a lot of trust in.”
The Gators’ Game 2 starter will be a right-hander—Matthew Tanner or Issac Lopez.
“Matt, when he gets on the bump, he competes,” Ulmer said. “He pitches with a lot of emotion. He does a good job of mixing pitches.”
Ulmer said Lopez came on midseason and did a good job solidifying the back end of the staff.
“He’s given us a spark,” Ulmer said. “He’s given us a true No. 2 or No. 3 guy. He stepped up when he had a couple injuries.”
Gautier’s offense has been led by Fred Nicholson, who pitches in relief when not in left field, and Sebastian Gonzales, who plays first, third, and some outfield when needed and has been the Gators’ closer.
“Fred and Sebastian are in the heart of our order,” Ulmer said. “They do the heavy lifting. We want to set the table and get runners on in front of them. We depend heavily on their production.”
Other Gators in the starting lineup will be Enrique Flores (catcher), Darrie Slay (second or third base), Chris Nelson (center field), and Ashton King (right field).
Assistant coaches are Matthew Miller, Andy Barnett, and Will Mabry.
Gautier Mayor Casey Vaughn adds, “I am ECSTATIC about our Gators! Congratulations to the players and coaches for their hard work and it has paid off. I ask our community to help encourage them to keep the momentum going. I would like to encourage my family, friends, citizens, and businesses in Gautier to help build community spirit for our Gautier Gators! Let’s glamour the city navy blue and gold in support of the Gators! Let’s wear Navy Blue & Gold this Friday, Saturday and Monday (possibly). I ask everyone to keep the team, coaches, parents, and us all traveling to and from Jones County in your thoughts and prayers! I wish our Gators the best of luck and remember you can do it!”
