Harrison Central Snags Series Lead over Biloxi
The Harrison Central Red Rebels picked up a 5-4 win over the Biloxi Indians Friday in game one of their second round MHSAA 6A baseball series in Biloxi in a contest that showed how baseball can be a game of inches.
Harrison Central threatened early in the first with runners on the corners with one out. Jared Gates hit what looked to be a sacrifice fly to left field, but a perfect throw by Jordan Mata gunned down Derrick Mount at the plate to keep the run off of the board.
Biloxi took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning when Mata scored on sacrifice by Craig Wilson.
Harrison Central tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth when Bryant Johnson singled and scored on Michael Gilbert’s single.
The Indians stormed ahead in the bottom of the inning. Nick Wheelock singled and scored on a two run shot by Cody Brown to give Biloxi a 3-1 lead. Mata singled and scored on an RBI double by Buchanan that hit near the top of the wall in right field on the fly to push the Biloxi lead to 4-1.
In the top of the sixth, Harrison Central scored three times in Johnston’s at bat, even though he never put a ball in the field. Brandon Hogue doubled, James Land singled, and Jake Rea walked to lead the bases for Johnston’s at bat. A wild pitch and two passed balls allowed all three to score in the at bat to tie the game at 4-4 after 5 1/2 innings.
Harrison Central scored the deciding run in the top of the seventh when Jared Gates reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a double by Chris Wease.
Gilbert, Hogue, Wease, and Land all had two hits for the Red Rebels. Gates picked up the complete game victory and striking out ten.
Mata and Buchanan both had two hits for the Indians. Buchanan lasted six innings but did not factor into the decision. Derek Whitfield took the loss for the Indians.
The teams meet up Saturday at 1 pm for game two of the series. If Harrison Central wins, they advance to face the winner of the Petal/Oak Grove series. Petal claimed an eleven to four win Friday night in game one of that series. If Biloxi defeats Harrison Central Saturday, game three will be played in Biloxi Monday at 7 pm.
