No. 2 Pearl River baseball paired dominant pitching with an explosive offensive showing Friday, rolling past Itawamba for a doubleheader sweep, 11-0 in seven innings and 11-3.
"They're tough throughout the lineup. We pitched well, hit well, and the wind helped us out a little bit today. I love coach (Slater) Lott — this was not a day I looked forward to, competing against him. They're just as dangerous as anyone in our league down the stretch. I'm glad we don't have to face them again."
GAME ONE
Pearl River (32-8; 14-2 MACCC) got a gem from JP Abt (Brandon; Hartfield Academy) to open the day against Itawamba (20-15; 7-7). In just his third start of the season, the right-hander tossed six scoreless innings, scattering three hits and one walk while striking out eight.
"It's just the mentality that he pitches with," Avalon said. "He just competes. He's got a really good arm and really good stuff."
The Wildcats broke through in the third inning. With the bases loaded, Jackson Estes (Madison; Germantown) drove a ball into center field that got past a diving defender for a two-run double. Before the inning ended, Chap Cook (Canton; Canton Academy) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Nico Williams (Gulfport) added a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.
Jackson Beddoe (Sulphur, La.) added two more in the fourth. Landon Hawkins (Sumrall) led off with a single before Beddoe crushed his fifth home run of the season, a 101 mph blast that traveled 382 feet, extending the lead to 6-0.
Pearl River pushed the game into run-rule territory in the sixth. Gatlin Pitts (Fairhope, Ala.; Bayside Academy) singled, while Estes and Coy Clements (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) drew walks to load the bases. After working a 1-2 count, Cook launched a 371-foot grand slam over the wall in right field to make it 10-0.
Cal Culpepper (Meridian; Clarkdale) made his first appearance in more than two months in the seventh and allowed just one hit before punctuating the win with a strikeout to secure the 11-0 victory in seven innings.
Pitts, Hawkins and Beddoe each had two hits. Cook drove in a game-high five runs, while Estes and Beddoe each added two RBIs. Clements walked twice.
GAME TWO
The offensive surge carried into game two — and started immediately. After two runners reached to open the contest, Clements unloaded on his NJCAA-leading 19th home run of the season to give Pearl River a 3-0 lead. The blast moved him within one of tying the program's single-season record. Abel Thetford (Bossier City, La.; Parkway) followed with an RBI single to score Cook and make it 4-0.
Itawamba threatened in the second, quickly loading the bases and forcing an early pitching change. Landon Watts (Picayune) entered and induced a chopper to third for a force at the plate before striking out two to escape the jam and keep the shutout intact.
The Wildcats broke the game open with six runs in the third. Kyler King (Picayune) picked up an RBI the hard way with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, and a wild pitch pushed across another run. Hawkins then walked to reload the bases before nine-hole hitter Beddoe crushed his second home run of the day — and Pearl River's second grand slam of the afternoon — to stretch the lead to 10-0.
Itawamba broke through in the fifth with three runs before Colin Jenkins (Mount Olive; Simpson Academy) was called upon to stop the momentum. Cook responded in the bottom half with his second home run of the doubleheader and 12th of the season, extending the lead to 11-3.
Jenkins retired the side in order in both the sixth and seventh innings to close out the 11-3 win and complete the sweep.
Preston McAdory (Lucedale; George County) worked one inning, allowing two walks and striking out one. Watts (5-0) earned the win with three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out four. Logan Fontenelle (Biloxi) recorded one out and allowed three runs. Jenkins tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Pitts, Clements and Cook each had two hits. Beddoe drove in a game-high four runs, while Clements added three RBIs. Cook also scored three times.
NEXT UP
Pearl River hosts Meridian Wednesday for a 3/6 p.m. doubleheader.
TICKETS
Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Single-game tickets are $9 if purchased in advance or $11 if purchased on game day.
TUNE IN
All home Pearl River baseball games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans with Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.
Games will also be available over the air in Pearl River County by tuning into 1320-AM and 106.9 FM. The radio broadcast is also available at WRJWRadio.com and by downloading the WRJW app.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).
