Biloxi Indians Baseball Preview
While Jim Hill and Harrison Central battled over the weekend, the Biloxi Indians enjoyed a bye as they waited to see which team they would face in the second round of the 6A baseball playoffs. The Indians earned the break by capturing the 6A Division 7 championship. Biloxi coach Kevin Burdine felt there were benefits to the break, but he was glad to get his team back to a more organized schedule.
“It allowed us to rest some arms and legs as we got ready to start the playoffs,” said Burdine. “I liked the break, but I was ready for us to get back into a routine.”
When the playoffs start, there will not be much of a surprise in the pitching department for the Indians. Seniors Hawtin Buchanan and Jordan Mata have established themselves as the go to starters for Biloxi. Buchanan enters the playoffs with a 6-3 record and 1.75 ERA. Mata went 4-2 with 48 strikes outs and a 3.32 ERA. Jordan Skog, a junior, and Derek Whitfield, a senior, could see time on the mound as well.
The Indians have also excelled at the plate. The team ended the season hitting near .350. Craig Wilson, a senior catcher who hit .469 for the season, leads the Indians at the plate. Cody Brown and Mata also finished the season above .400. The other Indians finished over .300.
Burdine said the playoffs will test his team’s ability at the plate. “From here on out, you will see good pitching in every game,” said Burdine.
When his team takes the field Friday, Burdine said the squad will be ready. “They are looking forward to it,” Burdine said. “They will be ready on Friday.”
Biloxi will host game one with Harrison Central at 7 Friday night. Game two will be played at Harrison Central Saturday, and a deciding game three, if necessary, will be played at Biloxi Monday.
