Delta State, William Carey to face off at MGM Park

MGM Park's busy pre-Shuckers season continues Wednesday with a second college showdown.

Weather permitting, Delta State (11-7) and William Carey (15-5) are scheduled to face off at 7:05 p.m.

Both teams are off to successful starts to the 2016 season and boast a handful of Coast talent.

Former St. Patrick slugger Ben Pickard is one of the Delta State's leading offensive forces. The senior is hitting a whopping .406 with a team-high six homers and 20 RBIs.

Former St. Martin and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College product Jacob Swiney is hitting .328 with four doubles, one triple and two home runs.

On the mound, former Pearl River Community College standout Jake Brumfield and Harrison Central's Bryant Johnston have 9.45 and 7.20 ERAs respectively in limited work.

The Crusaders also have four Coast products.

In relief duty, Picayune right-hander J.D. Stockstill has a 2.70 ERA with seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Former Pearl River Central standout Lane Fazende boasts a 3.38 ERA in eight innings of work.

At the plate, former HCHS Red Rebel James Land is hitting .204 with one homer and nine RBIs. Poplarville freshman catcher Jake Smith has not seen game action.

Heading in

The Crusaders ride into Biloxi on a nine-game winning streak and have out-scored opponents 152-63. As a team, William Carey has hit nine homers and boasts a 2.62 staff ERA.

As for DSU, the Statesmen have out-scored opponents 145-104 and boast 23 homers on the season.

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Delta State, William Carey to face off at MGM Park ."