by Hunter Dawkins

In the second annual Battle on the Beach, West Harrison High School hosted two games at their field off County Farm Road in West Gulfport Monday night.  Despite an interesting first inning from the mound, Hurricanes (8-4) Sophomore Brennan “Big Country” Jones threw a four-hit shutout with West Harrison High School beating Washington Academy Warriors via mercy rule after the 4th inning 13-0.

The Hurricanes collected nine hits, including a walk-off grand slam by West Harrison Senior infielder Taylor Woodcock.  Woodcock finished with four hits, two doubles, two runs and six runs batted in (RBI).

“We swung the bats well, as we’ve been doing that all year,” said West Harrison Head Baseball Coach David Marsland.  “Our main issue has been what we put out there on the mound.  We’re gonna go as well and as far as our pitching takes us.”

Besides Hurricanes “Big Country” Jones allowing a few hits and a walk in the first inning, he got out of the jam and looked solid the rest of the way.  Earning the victory, Jones struck out two batters, one walk, one RBI and two walks at the plate.

West Harrison’ s Woodcock, Junior Coleton Smith and Sophomore Jake Ochoa all collected multiple hits while all three and Hurricanes Junior Llanes Dickerson scored two runs a piece.

Wednesday evening, the Hurricanes host their next game against the Corinth Warriors at 5pm.

In the first game at West Harrison field, the Long Beach Bearcats dropped a close contest to Washington Academy 8-7.  The Bearcats effort to come back from down six runs in the fourth inning came up just short, Monday afternoon.  Long Beach scored four runs in the failed comeback on a error and a double by Bearcats Junior Kobe Cook.

Long Beach captured the lead in the first inning when Bearcats Cook doubled on a 2-1 count, scoring one run.

Washington took the lead for good with seven runs in the fourth inning.   Long Beach Senior Drake Hogue took the loss, surrendering eight runs on nine hits over four innings, striking out four.

Bearcats Cook was the only player with multiple hits and grabbed four RBIs, but Long Beach Junior Cade Crosby scored two runs.

The next game for Long Beach is against Northwest Rankin Tuesday night at the Mark Rutledge Field.  Begins at 7:30pm.