The annual Battle at the Beach reached its one-week mark on Thursday as the prestigious event heads toward the finish line.
On the antepenultimate day of the annual affair that consists of over 40 teams playing games over a span of 10 days all in the “Southern Six”, George County, St. Martin, Resurrection, Ocean Springs and Vancleave picked up wins on Thursday while Biloxi suffered its second straight defeat and West Harrison lost as well.
In Lucedale, the home-standing Rebels knocked off West Point 11-3 at Claude Passeau Field. It was the second consecutive win for George County in the event, as the Rebels finish play at 2-1.
The Green Wave took a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but that advantage was short-lived as the Rebels countered with a two spot in the bottom of the frame to take a lead they would never relinquish.
George County used a four-run second stanza to take command of the game, with the big blow coming off the bat of catcher Klay Fryfogle who smashed a two-run home run deep over the left field wall. Ben Davis also delivered a two-run single that started the rally.
Ben Davis paced the Rebel 10-hit attack with three singles and he drove in three runs, while Fryfogle chipped in a pair of hits including the big blast and tallied a game-high four RBIs. Taite Davis added two hits, including a double, and he drove in a pair of runs, while Gage Reeves picked up a pair of hits also.
George County stands 11-4 overall.
At MGM Park in Biloxi Thursday night, Ocean Springs bounced back from two tough losses earlier in the week at BATB play with a 9-0 win over Lafayette County at the home of the Biloxi Shuckers.
Cannon Hensarling, J.P. Ford and A.J. Arguello each tallied a pair of RBIs apiece for the Greyhounds, while Jack Jordan chipped in two hits including a run-scoring single. One of Hensarling’s hits was a double, and Brock Cantrell delivered a double as well. Simon Kruppa registered three runs scored for OSHS and Will Gray scored twice.
Cantrell also went the distance on the mound in the five-inning affair, striking out three scattering two hits, and walking one to pick up the win.
Ocean Springs sits at 7-8 overall and is set to begin Region 7-6A play Tuesday against St. Martin.
Home-standing Vancleve improved to 8-5 overall with a 7-0 win over Warren Central. The Bulldogs jumped out to a commanding lead quickly scoring all seven runs in the first inning. Asher Henley had two hits in the win, and he also had three hits in a 3-2 loss to Hartfield Academy earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, in a rematch of the last two Class 1A state champions in Gulfport, Resurrection topped Tupelo Christian Prep 7-1.
Junior Luke Schnoor smacked a two-run home run for the Eagles in the win, and he drove in a total of three runs on two hits. Walker Frederic recorded three doubles in the win, driving in a run and scoring twice in the process. Cole Tingle also had two hits and drove in a run for RCS.
Tingle scattered two hits and struck out 11 in the dominant complete game seven-inning performance.
Also, St. Martin knocked off visiting McGill-Toolen of Mobile, Ala., in an exciting 10-9 decision in five innings.
Lake Fincher. Gavin Nitcavit and Tristen Junkert each drove in a pair of runs apiece for the Yellow Jackets, and Fincher had three of the seven SMHS hits in the winning effort. Nitcavic had two hits, while Junkert’s double was the only extra-base hit for the Yellow Jackets. sean Stiglett and Caleb Lawrence also drove in a run apiece, while Fincher scored three runs.
Lincoln Hust picked up the win.
At the Biloxi High Sports Complex, the home-standing Indians dropped their second straight decision after starting the season 12-0 in a 5-3 decision at the hands of the Celtics of St. John Neumann on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day.
Logan Fontenelle had two hits to lead Biloxi, including a run-scoring triple.
The game was tied 3-3 entering the seventh, but the Celtics from Naples, Fla., scored two runs in their last at bat to complete a 3-0 sweep in the Battle at the Beach before heading back to the Sunshine State.
Home-standing West Harrison dropped a 4-3 loss to Walker, La., Thursday night in eight innings. Elijah Carriere had an RBI for the Hurricanes.
Most of Friday’s action on the penultimate day of the Battle at the Beach has been hampered by weather. The event is scheduled to wrap up on Saturday at several different sites.
