PRCC's unforgettable season ends in National Championship game

Dylan Dunaway - PRCC Sports Information Director

ENID, Okla. — An unforgettable 2025 season came to an end for the Pearl River baseball team as one of the top two teams in the nation, falling in the National Championship to Pasco-Hernando.

The No. 1 Bobcats rallied back in the late innings to defeat the No. 2 Wildcats 11-7 and claim the title.

The 2025 campaign was special for Pearl River, who claimed the MACCC title for the second year in a row and punched its ticket to the World Series with a Region 23 Championship. The Wildcats defeated No. 10 Kellog 11-3 and No. 6 East Central twice, 7-6 and 10-0 to advance to the title game.

"It wasn't meant to be. Most importantly, in this moment, I felt like the good Lord had prepared me for this," head coach Michael Avalon said. "I never thought we would lose. I can't allow myself to think that way. I'll tell you one thing. These young men are fine men from fine families. They are men of faith, and I am so proud of them. I reminded them to walk off this field with their heads up. It's a special group with much to be proud of."

Pearl River (53-10) took an early lead on a Logan Terry (Semmes, Ala.; East Central) home run over the left field wall. Pasco-Hernando (51-10) responded with three runs in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead.

The Wildcats made some noise in the sixth, rallying back to take the lead. Jaxon Milam (Phenix City, Ala.; Glenwood Academy) singled off the glove of the sliding PHSC right fielder, and Jackson Hood (Madison; Germantown) demolished a two-run homer way beyond the left field wall, 4-3 (picture below). 

Another three runs scored in the seventh for PRCC, with Jacob Keys (Brandon) driving in a run on a sacrifice fly and Caston Thompson (Jayess; Brookhaven Academy) belting an opposite-field two-run homer.

An eight-run seventh inning saw the Bobcats move back in front 11-7. The Bobcats retired the Wildcats in order to secure victory in each of the eighth and ninth innings.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Keegan Giger (Petal), Hood, KK Clark (Brandon) and Thompson were named to the All-Tournament team. Milam was named the tournament's Outstanding Defensive Player and Clark was named Outstanding Pitcher.

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