Still coping with the death of two classmates, the
Pascagoula baseball team rolls into the Class 5A South State semifinals
following an emotional 7-5 victory over West Jones Monday night.
The Panthers host Stone High at 7 p.m. on Friday to start a three-game series. The Saturday game time at Stone has yet to be determined while Monday will likely be another 7 p.m. first pitch at Pascagoula.
The reason for the uncertain schedule is the two teams are trying to work around Saturday's 11 a.m. funeral for Brandon Rich, a former three-sport star at Pascagoula who died Sunday in a skiing accident on the Pascagoula River along with sophomore football player Caleb Sweeten.
Pascagoula head coach Richie Tillman is adjusting his practice schedule this week so players can take the time to grieve.
The Panthers will wrap up practice early today so they can attend Sweeten's funeral at 4 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Pascagoula.
Tillman said Tuesday that he was impressed with how his players responded to the tragedy in closing out the series against West Jones.
"Nothing prepares you to deal with that situation," Tillman said. "I told the guys that the outcome is not what's important. What's important to is to compete again and try to get back into the routine of life. I was very proud of them. They played with a very heavy heart. I'm proud of how they responded and how they handled that moment."
Senior shortstop Tracy Hadley, a close friend of Rich, led the Panthers with four hits on Monday while Andrew Crane added three of his own.
Allen Cowart went the distance on the mound for Pascagoula, striking out 13 over seven innings.
Pascagoula enters the next round of the postseason with its pitching staff in good shape.
Crane, the senior ace, will be on the mound Friday against Stone.
"We should be very well rested," Tillman said of his pitching staff. "Everybody should be in line to make their normal scheduled starts."
Tillman said that he expected Jeremy Knight and Michael McCarty, a pair of pitchers who have been limited by injuries this season, to play a role in this weekend's series against Stone.
Pascagoula eliminated Stone from the postseason last year on its way to the Class 5A state championship.
Tillman expects a tough Stone squad when action begins Friday.
The Tomcats (16-9) have won all four of their postseason games so far, eliminating McComb and Pearl River Central.
"They have a good bit of those guys back (from last year) so they have a lot more experience," Tillman said. "They're hot right now and they're hot at the right time. We'll have to play a lot better baseball if we expect to move forward."
AMANDA McCOY/SUN HERALDPascagoula shortstop Tracey Hadley and the Panthers take on Stone High in the South State 5A semifinals.
The Panthers host Stone High at 7 p.m. on Friday to start a three-game series. The Saturday game time at Stone has yet to be determined while Monday will likely be another 7 p.m. first pitch at Pascagoula.
The reason for the uncertain schedule is the two teams are trying to work around Saturday's 11 a.m. funeral for Brandon Rich, a former three-sport star at Pascagoula who died Sunday in a skiing accident on the Pascagoula River along with sophomore football player Caleb Sweeten.
Pascagoula head coach Richie Tillman is adjusting his practice schedule this week so players can take the time to grieve.
The Panthers will wrap up practice early today so they can attend Sweeten's funeral at 4 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Pascagoula.
Tillman said Tuesday that he was impressed with how his players responded to the tragedy in closing out the series against West Jones.
"Nothing prepares you to deal with that situation," Tillman said. "I told the guys that the outcome is not what's important. What's important to is to compete again and try to get back into the routine of life. I was very proud of them. They played with a very heavy heart. I'm proud of how they responded and how they handled that moment."
Senior shortstop Tracy Hadley, a close friend of Rich, led the Panthers with four hits on Monday while Andrew Crane added three of his own.
Allen Cowart went the distance on the mound for Pascagoula, striking out 13 over seven innings.
Pascagoula enters the next round of the postseason with its pitching staff in good shape.
Crane, the senior ace, will be on the mound Friday against Stone.
"We should be very well rested," Tillman said of his pitching staff. "Everybody should be in line to make their normal scheduled starts."
Tillman said that he expected Jeremy Knight and Michael McCarty, a pair of pitchers who have been limited by injuries this season, to play a role in this weekend's series against Stone.
Pascagoula eliminated Stone from the postseason last year on its way to the Class 5A state championship.
Tillman expects a tough Stone squad when action begins Friday.
The Tomcats (16-9) have won all four of their postseason games so far, eliminating McComb and Pearl River Central.
"They have a good bit of those guys back (from last year) so they have a lot more experience," Tillman said. "They're hot right now and they're hot at the right time. We'll have to play a lot better baseball if we expect to move forward."
AMANDA McCOY/SUN HERALDPascagoula shortstop Tracey Hadley and the Panthers take on Stone High in the South State 5A semifinals.
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