It’s no secret that high school baseball is always pretty good in the Hattiesburg area.
However, this year, it seems the talent has gone to another level. As of now, five teams are ranked.
Let’s start with Purvis, which holds a 13-4 and sit at No. 7 overall in the state and No. 4 in Class 4A.
As expected, the Tornadoes are led by twin brothers Jacob and Jojo Parker, who are putting up their normal video game numbers.
Jojo, Purvis’ leadoff hitter has recorded a .476 average and has put up four doubles, four homers, 14 RBI and stolen 21 bases. On the mound, he has struck out 22 batters and walked four while holding a 4.53 ERA. Jacob has hit .490, 24 RBI, six doubles and five home runs and stolen 18 bases.
Oak Grove, which is No. 8 overall and No. 5 in Class 7A with a 11-4 record, has seen an elite performance from Eric Booth Jr. The outfielder has put up a .521 batting average, 14 RBI, seven doubles, two triples and five home runs. The Vanderbilt commit has also swiped 18 bases.
Sumrall, the defending Class 4A champs, are currently 9-5 and are No. 4 in Class 4A. The Bobcats have, at times, been inconsistent; when they are at their best, they are capable of beating anyone. On the mound, Drew Davis, who is the reigning Pine Belt Sports Player of the Year, has been spectacular as he has posted a 0.45 ERA, 29 strikeouts and three walks in 15 innings of work and is batting .344.
In Class 1A, both Lumberton and Sacred Heart find themselves in the top five rankings.
Lumberton(11-4), which ended Resurrection Catholic’s 46-game district win streak, has finally shown it’s over-growing pains and is a genuine contender. The Panthers’ pitching duo of Brendan Watters and Kaden Smith have combined to strikeout 106 batters and walk only 24.
For Sacred Heart (9-6), Jameson Phillips has been critical on the mound as he holds a 2.51 ERA and posts 36 strikeouts and 22 walks. At the plate, Kyron Murphy is putting together a solid senior campaign, as he is hitting .386 and driving in 15 runs.
And that’s just the teams that are ranked. Petal (8-4) has seen its fair share of success with Tanner Beliveau, a Mississippi State commit, has hit .419, driven in 26 runs and hit six home runs.
Another team that can wake up at any moment is Presbyterian Christian (8-7), which features Bankston Walters hitting .385 and holding a 2.66 ERA with 43 strikeouts and nine walks. Hattiesburg (9-5) has played a tough schedule and is off to a rough start in district play, but he has the pieces to put it together. The Tigers’ Andrew Jordan is putting up some incredible numbers with a .435 batting average and 2.45 ERA on the mound.
And let’s not forget North Forrest (5-4), which is off to a surprising 2-0 start in district play. Sophomore Chancellor Rogers is batting .580 and driven in 14 runs, while on the mound he holds a 1.58 ERA.
Oh and in the college baseball realm, Pearl River CC is ranked No. 1, while Jones College is No. 6 in the NJCAA rankings, William Carey is No. 8 in the NAIA coaches' poll and Southern Miss is ranked No. 19 in the country.
I’ve also got to mention a few softball teams, with perhaps the most surprising storyline being Sumrall, which is off to a dominant 14-3 start and ranked No. 1 in Class 4A and No. 10 overall in the state.
Kynnedy Lumpkins has been a terror for pitchers as she has posted a .477 average, 24 RBI, seven doubles and five home runs. Avery Smith has been equally successful inside the circle, holding a 2.19 ERA, 43 strikeouts and 11 walks.
Purvis (10-5) isn’t far behind its rival Sumrall. Chelsea Regan has been putting together a strong year, with the senior holding a .477 batting average and leading the team with 15 RBI. She has also put up a 2.29 ERA with 51 strikeouts and just 18 walks.
Petal is also a potential contender, with the Lady Panthers ranked at No. 5 in Class 7A. Currently, four different members of their lineup are hitting over .400, with Taylor Foster leading the way with a .455 average. Jayla Weathersby’s pitching seems to have taken the next step with her recording a 2.30 ERA, 56 strikeouts and 11 walks.
Lastly, Sacred Heart (7-1) has outscored teams 130-32. The Lady Crusaders are hitting .406 as a team, so keep them on the radar.
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