The pair of Catholic high schools left alive in the “Southern Six” advanced to the South State semifinals in their respective classifications in fine fashion with some solid individual performances last week.
In Class 1A, defending state champion Resurrection moved on after sweeping Sebastapol in two straight games as the Eagles under the direction of first-year head coach Aron Frederic dispatched the Bobcats 11-5 at home on Tuesday and did the deed one run better on the road Friday night at 11-4 to close out the match-up.
In game one, RCS overcome an early 1-0 deficit with three runs in the second stanza and four more in the third frame to take command at 7-1.
Luke Schnoor cracked a pair of doubles and drove in a run to guide the Eagles at the plate, while Walker Frederic also had two hits including a run-scoring single. Jesus San Miguel tallied a key two-run single as well, while Cole Tingle, Levi Foshee and Carter McCammon each drove in a run apiece in the win for RCS.
Foshee picked up the win on the mound, working just over five frames and allowing seven hits while striking out eight.
In game two, Foshee and Schnoor decided to go ahead and take matters into their own hands at the plate to end the series as Foshee smacked a pair of home runs and drove in three runs in the process and Scnoor also mashed a three-run home run for RCS in the seven-run win. Tingle collected a game-high three hits, including an RBI-double, while San Miguel also had. two hits and drove in a run.
Tingle went the distance on the hill to earn the win, and he struck out seven, walked three and allowed seven hits.
Up next, Resurrection faces Brookhaven Enterprise beginning Tuesday night at home as the Class 1A South State semifinals begin.
Meanwhile, St. Stanislaus wrapped up its second round Class 3A South State semifinal series with Enterprise Clarke by taking a 2-1 decision in game two Saturday afternoon at Pearl River Community College.
The game was moved from Bay St. Louis because of wet field conditions.
The Rock-A-Chaws got a dominant pitching performance from Ole Miss signee Seth Farni in the win, as he hurled six strong stanzas scattering three hits and allowing just the one run while striking out seven in taking the win. Hugh LeMasters relieved in the seventh inning and earned a save. Both Kyle Stegall and Hill Gainey each drove in a run to provide all the support at the plate SSC would need to advance.
The Rocks started the series off on Tuesday on the road with a resounding 13-3 win over the Bulldogs. A five-run top of the third frame turned a slight 1-0 SSC lead into a 6-0 advantage and the Rocks never looked back.
Freshman Tate Murphy smacked a two-run home run and had two hits total and for SSC in the win, while Brady Wallis also added two hits recorded a game-high three RBIs for the Rocks. Stegall added two hits and drove in a run, while LeMasters had a two-run single. Gainey and Chelsey Rhodes drove in a run apiece.
Gainey started and went the first four frames on the mound to pick up the win.
Up next for SSC is yet another bunch of Bulldogs as the Rocks will meet Seminary Bulldogs in the next round of the playoffs starting Tuesday night at home.
