May 8, 2009

East Central's 8-1 win ends Tide season

by Carey Meitzler

Hurley--Picayune's quest for a state championship came to a halt as defending Class 4A champion East Central got a strong

pitching performance from Joel Tanner helping them defeat the Maroon Tide 8-1 to claim the South State Championship.

East Central chased Maroon Tide starter Bryce Ladner with three runs on four hits in bottom of first.  Ladner was replaced with

one out by Hunter Gill.  Gill pitched out of the inning with help from catcher Jay Dedeaux who picked off a Hornet runner at third

base with snap throw to third baseman Brandon Jurich. 

Gill got through the second frame unscathed, but the Hornets sent ten batters to the plate in third and scored five runs.  East

Central collected three hits and Picayune committed three errors.  Jonathan Hickman replaced Gill during the inning and eventually

got out of the inning with a strikeout.   Hickman struck out the side in the bottom of the fourth.

Picayune scored their lone run in the top of the fifth.  Garrett Williams was safe on an infield single to short and moved to second

base when the late throw to first sailed into foul territory.  Williams moved to third on Jurich's ground ball to first base.  Jake Riser

walked and moved to second base on a fielder's choice to the Hornet's Tanner who was able to keep Williams at third on the

play.  Hickman singled off the glove of the third basemen to bring in Williams.

Picayune ends the season with a 22-5 mark while East Central, now 28-5, will play the winner of the West Lauderdale - New Hope

series.