Pearl River hits 2 homers but can’t topple No. 13 Gulf Coast
PERKINSTON, Miss.— Pearl River largely suppressed No. 13 Gulf Coast’s offense but couldn’t find the timely hit in Wednesday’s doubleheader loss at Ross-Smith Field.
The Lady Wildcats jumped ahead early in Game 1 before falling 4-2, while in Game 2 PRCC tied the game on a solo homer but couldn’t push another runner across in the 2-1 defeat.
“We beat ourselves in both games. We had a couple baserunning errors in the second game that really hurt us and we left runners on every inning,” Pearl River coach Leigh White said. “We couldn’t find the timely hit.
“We just have to keep working.”
Game 1: MGCCC 4, PRCC 2
The Lady Wildcats (14-14 overall, 4-8 MACJC) jumped on Gulf Coast (19-9, 11-3) early in Game 1 but couldn’t hold onto the lead late.
Mary Grace Turner (Leakesville; Greene County) broke out of a lengthy homerless streak and snapped the scoreless tie in the second by blasting a two-run homer.
“She got ahold of it,” White said. “She hit that pitcher’s mistake, which is what she’s supposed to do.”
Gulf Coast threatened in the third. After surrendering consecutive walks with one out, Rylee Swilley (Kiln; Hancock) induced a comebacker to turn a double play and get out of the frame unscathed.
The Lady Bulldogs tied the game in the fifth on a two-run single to shallow center field and then went ahead in the sixth on a sacrifice fly and defensive miscue.
Turner led PRCC at the plate with the two-run homer and a double. Jada Walker (Lizana; Gulfport) also hit a double to go 2-for-3. BreAnna Corkern (Watson, La.; Live Oak) was 2-for-3 as well.
Swilley allowed two unearned runs on one single and four walks, striking out two in four innings. Dallas Blaker (Bay St. Louis; Our Lady Academy) and Gracie Barnett (Vancleave) each surrendered one run in relief.
Game 2: MGCCC 2, PRCC 1
Gulf Coast broke through first in Game 2 with a two-out single but Pearl River quickly responded when Blaker (pictured) led off the next inning with a blast over the center field wall. The solo homer was the Belhaven signee’s second of the year.
“Dallas really got ahold of that one,” White said.
Grace Stringer (Moselle; South Jones) opened the bottom of the sixth inning with a strikeout. After walking the next two, Stringer punched out the next batter. PRCC looked like it may get out of the inning unscathed, but Gulf Coast singled up the middle to edge ahead of PRCC 2-1. A wild pitch advanced two runners into scoring position but Stringer rung up her third batter of the frame to keep Pearl River within striking distance.
Blaker led Pearl River with three hits, going 3-for-3 in Game 2. Corkern was the only other Lady Wildcat with a hit. Elizabeth Taggard (Picayune) walked twice.
Barnett and Stringer split time in the circle for PRCC three innings apiece. Barnett allowed one run on one hit and four walks, striking out three. Stringer struck out four and allowed one run on two hits and three walks.
NEXT UP
PRCC will stay on the road with a 3 p.m. doubleheader Friday at East Mississippi. Pearl River returns to Lady Wildcat Stadium Monday for a 4 p.m. doubleheader against Jones College.
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