Three things were settled Tuesday night in Region 8-6A.
And that trio of items, thanks to a key 1-0 upset of Biloxi by Harrison Central, was that Hancock was eliminated from the playoff race and the other three teams in the league all secured postseason berths.
The win by the Red Rebels ensured them at least the third seed in the region race, as HCHS stands 3-4 in the standings now behind both the Indians and Gulport at 5-2. The Admirals hammered Hancock 13-2.
In the Harrison Central 1-0 win, both teams managed just two hits apiece but Daniel Ruiz cracked a run-scoring double in the bottom of the first frame for the game’s lone run.
After Ruiz’s key hit, HCHS hurlers Tri Gaughf and Bryan Travis made it stand up combining to shut out Biloxi on just the two hits. Gaughf went four frames, striking out six and walking four, and allowing both hits, while Travis threw the final three scoreless stanzas and securing the shutout.
Logan Fontenell went the distance for the Indians, taking the tough-luck loss striking out 1 and walking four in six innings of work.
The same pair of teams meet in Biloxi Friday night before returning to Lyman Saturday afternoon to wrap up region play.
In Gulfport’s route of home-standing Hancock, Admiral Joel Smith collected both a game-high three hits as well as a game-high four RBIs enjoying a big night at the plate for GHS.
Gulfport and Smith wasted no time in taking command, scoring four runs in the first frame and adding a trio of runs in each of the next two innings to take a 10-0 lead after three stanzas and cruising to the win.
Nico Williams joined Smith in having a big night at the plate for GHS, as he had a pair of hits including a triple and drove in four runs as well while Nathan Edwards also had a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs also. Ethan Garner had two hits, including a double, and Jacob Palazzo added a double as well.
Sean Ostheimer bopped a two-run double for Hancock, while Jeffery Hopgood and Peyton Dewitt also each had a double for the Hawks.
Josh Le went the distance for the Admirals in getting the win, allowing six hits while striking out seven and walking just one.
Ostheimer started and took the loss for HHS, as he couldn’t get out of the third inning before allowing all 10 of those early Admiral runs.
The same two squads meet Friday night in Gulfport and then return to the Kiln to complete the series on Saturday afternoon.
