Rockets end historic run for baseball title
The Neshoba Central Rockets extended their 2022 baseball season into the championship round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s Class 5A championship series for the first time in school history.
But the Rockets fell short in the finals as they dropped two games to East Central, 3-2 and 7-3. The Rockets ended their historic season with a 29-7 record while the Hornets of Pass Christian finished 28-6.
“This was our first time in the state finals,” Coach Jonathan Jones said. “It was huge for us. We have had good teams at Neshoba Central over the years and some great players who have gone on to play in the pros. Hopefully, this will be a stepping stone. We had five sophomores and a freshman in the lineup today. If we keep working hard, hopefully we can make it back. Right now, we are going to enjoy this year and enjoy what we have accomplished.”
Game one
East Central 3
Rockets 2
East Central scored one run in the bottom of the eighth to break open a tie game and walk away with the win.
Neshoba Central scored one in the top of the fifth. East Central scored two in the bottom of the fifth. And the Rockets came back with one in the sixth to tie the game at 2-2. That’s how it stood until the bottom of the eighth.
Jesse Hancock started the game and struck out seven batters in 4.2 innings of work Sanders Griffis finished the game in relief and took the loss.
The Hornets outhit the Rockets 10-3. Garrett Martin hit a single and knocked in a run. Will Williams and Demarkez West both had a hit. Jalyas Winters and Bryceton Spencer scored Neshoba Central’s two runs.
Game 2
East Central 7
Rockets 3
The Rockets battled to the final out before dropping the second game of the series.
East Central scored two in the first, three in the fourth and two in the sixth. The Rockets scored one in the first.
Down 7-1 in the bottom of the seventh with two out, Demarkez West brought Neshoba Central back with a triple that scored two runs. But East Central got the third out and the game was over.
Reid Hall started the game on the mound and took the loss. Luke Welborn and Rhett Stovall both pitched in relief.
East Central outhit the Rockets 9-7.
West finished with a double and a triple and three RBIs. Hall had a hit and scored a run. Jordan Davis, R.B. Hardin and Will Williams all had a hit. Winters scored a run.
“We preached all year, if we have to pitch, we have a chance,” Jones said. “Even at the end, we had chance. We kept fighting. We didn’t lay down like we always talk about. We gave ourselves a chance.
“After game one, we came out fighting. We were really focused. They made some good swings and they were able to win.”