Tide Too Much for Hattiesburg in 8-5 Win

Picayune Earns Key Division 5-5A Road Victory

By: Carey Meitzler & Jason Pigott

Timely hitting was the difference for Picayune as they picked up a huge 8-5 road win over Hattiesburg at

historic Smokie Harrington Park in the Hub City.   The win moves the Maroon Tide to 12-5 overall and

2-1 in Division 5-5A. Hattiesburg, ranked #7 in the latest Clarion Ledger poll, falls to 12-3 and 1-2.

Picayune scored in their first at bat despite four strikeouts by Hattiesburg righthander Jermaine Jackson.

Jackson struck out leadoff hitter Alex Riser, but Riser reached first as the third strike got away from

Hattiesburg's catcher Chip Phillips.  After Britton Fortenberry's perfect sacrifice bunt moved Riser to second,

Heath Stevens swung and missed a third strike and reached first base as Phillips tried to catch Riser off

second rather than throwing to first base to retire Stevens.  Hoyt Hughes then lined a two-run double to

the right field corner than scored Riser and courtesy runner Andrew Lohnes and when the ball got by Tiger

rightfielder Josh Wiley, Hughes to scampered on to third base on the play.

Hattiesburg scored a run in the bottom of the inning as Josh Chatman stroked a single to center scoring

Jackson who had singled with one out and stole second to get in scoring position.

Picayune added three runs in the top of the fifth.  With two outs, Britton Fortenberry lofted a single to right field.

Stevens was hit by a pitch and Hughes drew a base on balls to load the bases.  Senior centerfielder Sean

Garrard then ripped a two-run single to right field scoring Fortenberry and courtesy runner Andrew Lohnes,

who was running for Stevens.  Hughes moved to third on the play.  Picayune then pulled off a double steal

that plated Hughes for what appeared to be a commanding 5-1 lead, but the Tigers weren't done yet.

The Tigers came back and pushed across two runs in the bottom of the inning.  Like Picayune, Hattiesburg's rally

started with two out and no one aboard.  Jackson singled and Reggie Lee legged out an infield single.  Stevens

then plunked Josh Chatman with a pitch to load the bases.  Designated hitter Robert Carson drove home Jackson

and Lee with a sharp single to right to cut it to 5-3.

Picayune added three runs in the top of the seventh.  Riser lead off the inning with a double down the right field line.

Fortenberry moved Riser to second with his second sacrifice bunt of the game.  Stevens singled to right driving in

Riser and moved to second on the throw to the plate. Will Quinn came on to run as a courtesy runner for Stevens.

Hughes then laid down a crafty bunt toward third and was aboard as he barely beat the throw to first by Tiger third

baseman Chase Herrin.   A wild pitch allowed the runners to move to third and second before Sean Garrard came

up big again for Picayune.  Garrard lofted a high fly ball to centerfield that allowed Quinn to tag and score from

third base. Scott Parish followed Garrard with line drive single to right scoring Hughes and posting Picayune to a

8-3 lead, but just as they did earlier, Hattiesburg fought back.

Hattiesburg scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh when Carson tripled to deep right field driving in Lee and

Chatman who had reached base on infield singles with two out.

Heath Stevens went the distance scattering 11 hits and striking out 10 Tiger batters.

Jackson took the hard luck loss allowing 7 hits and striking out 14 Tidesmen.

First year Head Coach Cayne Stockstill was elated and relieved to get the win.

"Our guys keep battling against a very good pitcher (Jackson).  Sean gave us a huge lift tonight with his bat.  He's a

scrapper up there at the plate.   I called timeout to tell him he was going to get a hit and we were going to score

those runs.  I wanted him to know I had confidence in him.  That was what I felt and I wanted him to feel it, " said

Stockstill.  "Winning up here puts us in a much better situation going to Oak Grove next Tuesday.   This division

is so tough."

Picayune will be at home on Saturday hosting Greene County and Biloxi.   The Maroon Tide will play Greene County

at 11:00am, Greene County and Biloxi play at 1:00pm, and Picayune will take on Biloxi at 4:00pm to complete the

"Triangle Doubleheader" at the Field of Dreams.

Picayune wil tangle with Oak Grove next week with a game at Oak Grove on Tuesday and return to Picayune on Friday.

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