BILOXI — The Heritage Academy baseball team went 1-1 against two strong opponents Thursday on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Patriots (14-4) fell 5-3 to host Biloxi High School in six innings in the Battle of the Beach tournament before beating Gautier 12-1 in four innings later Thursday.
Aaron Downs had three hits for Heritage Academy in the win over the Gators as the Patriots put up a seven-run third inning. Harris Gunter, Baker Imes, Caleb Hall and Cole Ketchum all had multiple RBIs.
Rhett Ketchum struck out eight while pitching all four innings for Heritage Academy.
In the Pats’ loss to the Indians, Carson Hollis led Heritage Academy with two RBIs. Cole Ketchum had two hits at the plate and struck out four in four innings on the mound.
Heritage Academy will face Theodore (Ala.) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Ocean Springs High School.
Other scores
Prep Softball
Pickens Academy (Ala.) 18, Heritage Christian Academy (Ala.) 1
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Pickens Academy (Alabama) softball team beat Heritage Christian Academy (Alabama) 18-1 in Thursday’s road game.
Senior Baylee Jaynes went 4 for 4 and drove in four runs for the Pirates. Eighth-grader Lily Lowery was 3 for 3 and came a home run short of the cycle. She stole four bases and also had four RBIs.
Senior Courtney Dudley was 2 for 3 with a double and triple, driving in two. Eighth-grader Morgan Shires went 3 for 3.
Pickens will host Restoration Academy (Alabama) for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. March 26.
Prep Baseball
Starkville Academy 10, Resurrection Catholic 4, six innings
BILOXI — Starkville Academy beat Resurrection Catholic 10-4 in six innings at the Battle of the Beach at Biloxi High School.
Cooper McNeel had one of three triples for the Volunteers and drove in four runs. Porter Skelton and Harris McReynolds also hit triples, and Skelton pitched a complete game on the mound.
Will McReynolds and Randall Futral each had an RBI as every Starkville Academy player in the lineup reached base.
Starkville Academy will host Leake Academy for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Pickens Academy (Ala.) 12, Heritage Christian Academy (Ala.) 1, five innings
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Pickens Academy (Alabama) beat Heritage Christian Academy (Alabama) 12-1 in five innings Thursday in Birmingham.
Bodhi Parham went 2 for 3 with three runs scored and three RBIs for the Pirates. Will Noland was 2 for 2 with two RBIs, and Lane Lowery had a hit and two RBIs.
Lowery pitched all five innings and struck out seven.
Pickens will host Restoration Academy (Alabama) for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. March 26.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.