Battle of Back Bay: Biloxi-D'Iberville baseball rivalry heats up at MGM Park

Biloxi and D'Iberville are taking a page out of Ole Miss and Mississippi State's diamond rivalry.

When the Indians (2-1) and Warriors (1-1) square off at MGM Park at 7 p.m. Friday they'll be doing so with the newly created Tomahawk Cup in mind.

In what is now being dubbed "The Battle of the Back Bay," new BHS coach Eddie Lofton and DHS coach Cragin Gilbert felt the inaugural high school game at the Biloxi Shuckers' home needed a little something extra.

"With the draw of our fans and Biloxi, it just makes sense," Gilbert said Thursday, after the game had been pushed to Friday due to inclement weather. "It's the perfect venue."

Lofton, who is off to a good start at BHS after moving from Clinton, said they want to make the game a big deal.

"They're definitely excited. They're ready. Not only are they playing in MGM Park but they're playing against D'Iberville, which is a pretty good rivalry," Lofton said. "They know what's at stake. These seniors want to leave a legacy and it's built on events like these."

The coaches had Ole Miss and Mississippi State in mind when they collaborated on the game.

Much like the Bulldogs and Rebels square off in Pearl for the right to bring the Governor's Cup trophy back to their campus, the Tomahawk Cup trophy will also remain with the winner.

"We want to get a pride thing going," Gilbert said. "(Playing for the trophy at MGM Park) gives the kids a great experience. The kids, it's all about them."

Scouting the Indians

Biloxi sandwiched a 12-4 loss to Seminary with a 3-2 victory over Petal to open the season and a 5-1 win over Pascagoula.

Lofton said his team is understandably still a work in progress.

"We still have to get better," he said. "They're working hard to improve things."

Lofton highlighted his team's speed during the preseason. Through three games, the Indians have already swiped 10 bags.

"We're going to continue to try and do those things," Lofton said. "I think that's one thing we have to do to be able to help ourselves,

steal bases, put guys in motion and create defensive work for the opposition."

Lofton likes what he has seen from pitchers Trey Shaffer, Austin Creel, Chase Lott and Austin Williams.

"If they can continue the pace they're on, we should have a shot," Lofton said.

Scouting the Warriors

D'Iberville split its first couple of decisions with a 7-3 win over Starkville at Gulfport in the season opener, followed by a 3-1 loss to Oak Forest Academy (Amite, La.) at Southeastern Louisiana.

The staff currently has a 1.62 ERA, with 12 strikeouts in 13 innings.

"Pitching has been very good. The bats are coming on. That's basically what you see early," Gilbert said. "Pitching is always going to be a little bit in front of hitting. In a game like this, you can throw all of that out."

D'Iberville will send ace Andrew Bird (1-0), a Gulf Coast signee, to the mound.

Bird picked up the win against Starkville, striking out seven in six innings.

"He's a big strong kid," Gilbert said. "He throws in mid-to-upper 80s. He'll come after you like a bulldog."

Biloxi will counter with Creel (0-0), who allowed two unearned runs in six innings against Petal. He also struck out nine in the no-decision.

Future schedule

Other high school games at MGM Park include Bay High vs. West Harrison on March 10, Ocean Springs vs. Gulfport on March 17, St. Stanislaus vs. Pascagoula on March 18, Gulfport vs. St. Martin on March 24 and Hancock vs. Harrison Central on March 31.

Tickets to the games can be bought at the respective high schools ahead of time or at MGM Park.

This story was originally published March 3, 2016 at 9:30 PM with the headline "Battle of Back Bay: Biloxi-D'Iberville baseball rivalry heats up at MGM Park ."