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State playoffs: The South Coast

Hornets, Hounds open 4A, 5A series at home

By JAMES JONES
jkjones@sunherald.com

East Central and Ocean Springs are the only South Mississippi teams left in the state baseball playoffs.

The two Jackson County teams will play for the 4A and 5A South State championships, which begin tonight on their fields.

Ocean Springs (25-7) plays host to Terry in Game 1 of the 5A South State finals. Game 2 will be played on Friday at Terry at 6 p.m. A third game, if needed, will be played at Jones Community College on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Hornets (25-9) host West Jones (28-5) in the 4A South State opener. Game 2 will be at West Jones on Friday at 7 p.m. The site for a possible third and deciding game is still up in the air.

East Central coach Gary Long takes pride that the Greyhounds and Hornets survived tough scares en route to the state semifinals.

"It's been a while since the Coast had this many teams go beyond the first round," Long said. "Ocean Springs has had a really good year. Our kids set the goal of wanting to win it all."

The Greyhounds, ranked No. 1 in the Sun Herald's South Mississippi poll, faces a red-hot Terry team. Outfielder-pitcher Rashun Dixon, a projected high pick in next month's Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, leads Terry.

Ocean Spring pitchers Robert Wineski (7-3) and Michael Baxter (7-0) both plan on derailing the Bulldogs' hitting express.

"Terry's a good team," Greyhounds coach Jesse Kanode said. "Dixon's a first- or second-round pick. Butts is a good left-handed pitcher for them. They're pretty solid throughout their lineup."

Kanode is pleased with the Division 7-5A champions rising to the challenge in crucial situations. Catcher Patrick Kirkland (.420, eight homers) and infielder Travis Creel (.400-plus, six homers) lead the Greyhounds' hitting attack.

"I'm proud of the players," Kanode said. "This senior group worked hard in the weight room. Kirkland has had a monster year. Creel is hitting over .400, but has done so well defensively."

The Hornets haven't made the 4A South State finals since 2005, when they fell to Petal in three games. East Central's last 4A South State title came in 1998.

"The kids are excited about playing West Jones," Long said. "They wanted to go this far and win a state title. West Jones has a solid team. They have good pitching and swing the bats well."

East Central expects to throw unbeaten ace Phillip Byrd (12-0) in the first game, hoping the South Alabama signee can derail West Jones.

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