New Hope High School’s baseball team is ready to crank up its hit machine again.
The Trojans have scored 74 runs in their last six playoff games, and swept Amory in two games last week by a combined 16-3 score.
Tonight, the Trojans face Pontotoc in the opener of a three-game series for the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4 North title.
That is, should Mississippi’s spring rains permit.
Game 1 first pitch is set for 7 p.m. in New Hope, followed by Game 2 on Friday night at Pontotoc. Game 3, if necessary, would be played Saturday night at New Hope.
Two more wins, and the Trojans are on the way to Pearl for the state championship next week.
Ryan Burt was among the hitting leaders for New Hope in the 4A quarterfinals against Amory, hitting two triples and a home run in a 9-0 victory in Game 1 and then pitching the Trojans to victory in Game 2.
Both New Hope and Pontotoc arrive at tonight’s showdown with 23 wins, although the Trojans have three fewer losses (5) than Pontotoc.
After losing the first game of its quarterfinal-round series against Ripley, Pontotoc responded with 11-0 and 5-4 wins to reach the North final.
West Lauderdale (27-3) and Sumrall (30-5) are playing in the South final.
The 4A state championship is scheduled to begin Wednesday at Trustmark Park in Pearl.
Paul Bowker is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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