HATTIESBURG – It wasn’t as dramatic as the last two nights, but in the end, all it took were two big innings for Hattiesburg.
In a series that was filled with emotions and a lot energy, Hattiesburg winded up defeating South Jones 13-1 in five innings in the decisive Game 3 of the third round of the Class 5A playoffs at Smokie Harrington Park on Saturday night.
The Tigers (22-10) will face West Jones for Class 5A South State starting on Thursday with Game 1 being at West Jones.
“I think having the moment from last night carried over to tonight and that helped a lot,” said Hattiesburg coach Joe Hartfield. “Sometimes when you got to dig deeper than you’ve ever done before and we did last night and hopefully that’s a game we can look back on.”
Hattiesburg was up 2-0 and would score five runs in the bottom of the second inning highlighted by a two-run double by Ole Miss signee Joe Gray to extend the lead to 7-0.
The Tigers would add on four runs in the bottom of the third highlighted by a two-run single by Alabama State signee A.J. Stinson.
Hattiesburg would add in two runs in the bottom of the fourth to have the 10-run mercy run in effect.
“Tonight we hit the ball better than we’ve had in any game this season,” Hartfield said. “We had a lot of hits in four innings and that’s what you need at this time of year.”
A big factor in the game happened in the top of the second inning when South Jones had a run taken away due to a runner not touching the bag at third base.
“I had no idea the guy missed the bag and coach told me to throw the ball over there,” Gray said. “Coaches saw that one.”
Gray got the win on the mound tossing a complete game while giving up four hits, one earned run, walked six and struck out three.
He would get two big double plays in the first and third innings to get out of jams.
“On the bus ride back home last night and asked me whose pitching and I told him I got it,” Gray said. “I had control issues tonight, but found my way out of jams.”
