Home-standing Pearl River Central got warmed up for upcoming region play with a solid 11-1 win over visiting East Central in match-up between a pair of recent Class 5A state champions Monday night.
The Blue Devils moved to 11-5 overall and recorded their fifth straight win with the decision in the contest that ended after five frames as they move into Region 7-5A action on the road at Long Beach Tuesday night.
Pearl River Central banged out 11 hits to tally the 11 runs in the win over the Hornets Monday night. The Blue Devils jumped out to a quick 3-0 advantage in the top of the first frame and went on to lead 10-0 after the top of the fourth.
Chris Hart paced the PRC hit parade with three hits and an RBI while Conner Dyess recorded three hits also. Caleb Dyess and Austin Gill swung the big sticks for the Carriere crew as Caleb Dyess collected a pair of hits, including a double, and the senior drove in three runs as well while Gill also drove in a trio of runs with a pair of hits as well. B.J. Belleo also registered three RBI in the win, and Kyan Schlottman also drove in a run.
Haydn Porter drove in the only ECHS run with a single in the bottom of the fourth.
Gage Kamlade went the distance to pick up the win for PRC, scattering three hits and striking out the same number. Brandt Dickerson took the loss.
Monday night’s win over defending Class 5A state champion East Central was the fourth straight win over Region 8-5A competition for the Blue Devils, who won the Class 5A crown in 2018.
The win streak started with a 1-0 win over George County, and the Pearl River Central swept a pair of games in a home-and-home series from Gautier last week winning 6-0 on Tuesday and 4-0 on Thursday.
In the first game, Caleb Dyess drove in three runs on a pair of hits including a home run in the win, while Conner Dyess and Riley Wilson each had two hits apiece and Conner Dyess had an RBI.
Caleb Dyess picked up the pitching win, allowing just one hit over si stanzas of work and striking out nine.
In game two on Friday, Caleb Dyess drove in a pair of runs with a two-run home run while Chris Hart and B.J. Belleo also collected RBIs. Riley Wilson and Austin Gill each added a double in the winning effort, as Johnson picked up the win with a dominant one-hit performance striking out seven in the process.
Going into Monday night, the Blue Devils were coming off a 9-2 win over Bay High on Saturday. Caleb Dyess had two doubles for PRC, and both Conner Dyess and Jacob Johnson each drove in a pair of runs in the win. Riley Wilson also had two hits, while Conner Dyess and Wes Gardner each had a double.
Kamlade also picked up the win against the Tigers.
In the other Region 7-5A opener Tuesday night, West Harrison travels to Picayune. On Friday, the Maroon Tide will travel to WHHS and Long Beach will head to Carriere.
