Maroon Tide tops PRC in extra innings to win district championship
Carriere-- Picayune beat Pearl River Central 7-3 in extra innings to capture the district championship and the one seed for the upcoming playoffs. The game was tied at 3-3 after seven innings, but the Maroon Tide was able to score four runs on four hits in the 8th. Logan Ledet worked a three up three down inning in the bottom of the inning to get the win.
Picayune struck first with three runs in the top of the second. Chad ‘Cobra’ Stockstill led the inning off with a double, Jakail Myers walked, and Blake Mitchell singled to load the bases. Juvonte Raymond singled to left field to bring in two runs and Mitchell scored when the left fielder let the ball get by him.
All photos by Carey Meitzler/WRJW Sports
Chad Stockstill (23) approaches second base after his double in the second.
The Blue Devils got two runs in the bottom of the 4th inning on a Tide error, a double by Austin Dean, and a single by Ethan Songy. Picayune starting pitcher Luke Smith who was replaced by Logan Ledet with one out and two runners on base. Ledet gave up an RBI single by Ethan Everett and then got an out on a fielder’s choice ground ball and a strikeout to end the inning.
Austin Dean delivers a pitch in the second inning.
Dean retired 13 batters in a row after giving up a single to start the third inning.
In the 7th, Dean walked a batter, but got a strikeout and ground out to end the frame.
PRC loaded the bases against Ledet in the bottom of the 7th, but Ledet got a strike out to end the inning.
Blake Mitchell (15) slides into home in the 2nd inning
In the 8th, Kyler Lauga doubled to start the inning and Chad Dudenhefer moved Lauga to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Kade Turnage singled to score Lauga and Stockstill doubled on a 3-2 count to score courtesy runner Braxton Hatten (running for Turnage). Dean was replaced by Austin Diebold who inherited a 2-0 count on Blake Mitchell. Mitchell singled to bring in Stockstill and Raymond singled to score Myers.
Picayune Head Coach Cody Stogner talked with WRJW’s Timmy Craft after the game.
“Last year, we won one district game, started this year 1-3 in the district, and we've fought all the way back. Now we are district champs. That’s just one of the goals we set this year,” Stogner said.
“Austin Dean has our number every time we play them. He’s a great pitcher and he’s going to do well for them the rest of the year and when he goes on to college to pitch, “ Stogner added.
Stogner talked about Ledet’s strikeout with the bases loaded in the 7th as the turning point.
Juvonte Raymond (34) on his way to second base
“Logan’s a big time pitcher. He got the momentum back on our side with that strikeout. Momentum is real and once you can slow it down and get it back on your side, good things will happen,” he shared.
Stogner had high praise for Chad “the Cobra” Stockstill who has been working hard on the field while dealing with his mother’s health.
“Chad’s our guy. He had been struggling at the plate, but he’s coming around. He’s a guy you want up in big situations and he’s starting to make adjustments. He’s a great baseball player and that’s a credit to his mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with her.”
Picayune (12-8, 6-3) will close out the regular season at Tylertown on Thursday, and then home games against Biloxi (Saturday) and Poplarville (Monday).
The Maroon Tide earns a bye in round one of the playoffs and will play a best two out of three series starting on Friday April 25th against the winner of the series between Natchez and Long Beach which will be played on April 19th ,20th ,and 22nd. Picayune will host Games 1 and 3 (if necessary)in Picayune.
Pearl River Central (16-8, 6-3) will close out the regular season at Brookhaven on Saturday and at Pascagoula on Monday.
The Blue Devils will play a best two out of three series against Wayne County on April 19th ,20th ,and 22nd. Games 1 and 3 (if necessary) will be in Carriere.
The playoff games played by the Maroon Tide and Blue Devils will be broadcast on either WRJW 1320 AM or wrjwradio.com.
