The George County Rebels drew first blood on Wednesday, taking Game One of the Class 6A state championship series with a 3-2 victory over the Warren Central Vikings at Trustmark Park in Pearl.
The Rebels grabbed their first lead and the eventual win when Jacob Eubanks hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth to bring in Brodie Cecchi, who was running for Cayler Havard. Havard, who ended up 2-for-3 on the night with one RBI, singled up the middle earlier in the inning.
George County is trying to bury the memory of winning Game One in 2018 against DeSoto Central, only to lose the last two games in the state title series. The feeling from coaches, fans and friends after this win is much different.
“This team has played well all year and is very consistent from top to bottom,” said George County coach Brandon Davis. “We can score from anywhere in our lineup when needed.”
Well, it was much needed in the bottom of the fourth with the Rebels trailing 2-0. Blane Green nailed a hard single to right, scoring Tripp Lightsey and Havard to tie the game at 2-2. The intensity continued until the seventh, but the Rebels’ pitching made sure George County got the win.
“Our pitching has kept us in games all season,” said Davis, whose team is just one victory away from winning the school’s first state baseball championship since 1997. “Our two guys did it again today.”
Winning pitcher Preston McAdory went six strong innings and Canyon Reeves came in to shut the Vikings down in order in the seventh for the save. Reeves, a side-armed hurler, came into the game with a 0.67 ERA, a 7-0 record and six saves.
Connor Watkins went the distance for Warren Central but took the loss.
The teams will get back together on Friday at 4 p.m. for Game Two.
