by Hunter Dawkins, Publisher/Owner – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm
GULFPORT (GG) — The Long Beach Bearcats baseball team (13-10, 6-4) outlasted the West Harrison Hurricanes 7-2 Tuesday night, April 8 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Long Beach starting pitcher Will Brady tossed a complete game, striking out four and walking only one while allowing 5 hits and one earned run. Currently, the Bearcats are third in the Region 4-6A standings as the top four go to the MHSAA Playoffs.
“We work really hard on the offensive approach than we did last year,” expressed Head Baseball Coach Garrett LaRosa, “To our guys credit, they have bought in and we are doing a much better job of getting ourselves in good counts at the plate while not being complacent defensively.”
After falling behind 2 runs in the first three innings, Long Beach 4 runs on in the top of the fourth behind an RBI single from Centerfielder Aiden Downey. Multiple errors from the Hurricanes led to Long Beach scoring three more and never looking back.
In the top of the seventh inning, Brady knocked in a run on an RBI ground out followed by a two-run single from Downey for a 7-2 lead and the eventual final.
The Bearcats catcher Flynn James and First Baseman Wayne Ulrich both reached base three times while Downey finished with three RBIs.
West Harrison Pitcher Cameron Sandel tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowing 4 hits, 5 earned runs and 6 walks, but striking out 7. The Hurricanes were led at the plate by 8th grader Reese Parker, who scored twice, knocked in a double and walked. Centerfielder Tyler Gazzler knocked in the only run for the Hurricanes on an RBI-double.
The Long Beach Bearcats host West Harrison at the Mike Rutledge Stadium Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7pm.
