By Curtis Rockwell, Sports Editor
The Picayune Item
CARRIERE — Wayne County came into the Region 6-5A race as what many observers felt as the favorite to take the title.
It took homestanding Pearl River Central less than one inning Tuesday night to prove that the race is wide open.
The Blue Devils jumped on Wayne County’s Dandy Dozen standout Demarcus Henderson for 10 runs on six hits in the opening frame, and hung on for a an 11-9 win in the league opener for both teams.
The win pushes PRC to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in region play, and the War Eagles stand 2-3 overall and 0-1.
“It was definitely a big win for us,” PRC third year head coach Neil Walther said. “You really couldn’t ask for a better way to start district play. We just hope to keep it up.”
Winning pitcher Ramsey Graham not only came up with the victory on the mound, but laced a three run triple during the 10 run first inning explosion as well.
Aaron Lee, who led the first inning off with a double to begin the erruption, finished with two hits in the game as did Tyler McKay as PRC belted out 11 hits in the win, and sent 14 batters to the plate in the first inning.
Henderson, who is an all-star on the football field as well as Wayne County’s quarterback, took the loss, his first of the year. Henderson is a Mississippi State signee in baseball and also plays shortstop for the War Eagles.
Graham is 1-1 on the year.
The Blue Devils held on espite a furious War Eagle rally over the last few innings.
“We did leave too many runners on base, that was about te only negative,” Walther concluded.
The teams will face off again on Friday night in Waynesboro. Dustin Caruso is expected to take the hill for PRC.
Poplarville baseball
Poplarville is off this week as Region 8-4A play begins. The Hornets were the first team with a bye in league play, which consists of seven teams.
The Hornets will be back in action Saturday in Hattiesburg, beofre facing St. Stanislaus on the road on Monday to open league play.
Poplarville beat Stone 7-4 Saturday morning, as Eli Frierson hit a home run and Zach Houston picked up the win.
The Hornets are 2-4 on the year.
