It didn’t take long for the Trojans to make an impact in their first Region 8-3A game of the season March 12.
Buoyed by errors and a few singles, West Marion (7-5, 2-0) hung eight runs on the board in the first inning of a 16-4 win over Tylertown. The Chiefs’ pitcher even quit the team and left the ball park after the inning as Tylertown committed nine errors in the contest. Noel Parrett, Miles Maliden and Travis Little each had a hit and 2 RBI, while Parrett and Little each tossed two innings.
To kick off the Battle at the Beach at D’Iberville High School March 13, the Trojans found themselves in a dogfight with Class 5A West Point. The game was knotted at 2-2 heading into the seventh inning before West Marion took the lead in the top half of the inning. However, the Green Wave got to reliever Dalton Raynes in the bottom half and scored two runs to win 4-3.
Jayden Duncan collected three hits, including a double, while Raynes (RBI)
and Clay Blocker both had two hits. Brett Jenkins drew the start and allowed two unearned runs in four innings on five hits and three walks. Brian Blakney tossed 1 2/3 innings in relief as well without allowing a hit or run.
The following afternoon at West Harrison High School, standout senior Shelby Terrell, who has already signed with Pearl River Community College, was terrific and won a pitcher’s duel for the ages against Northwest Rankin in extra innings.
Through seven innings the game was scoreless with Terrell and Northwest Rankin’s Carson Chapman dealing. But Trojans freshman Tre’ Broom got to reliever Dawson Carpenter in the eighth and scored Blakney to win it 1-0. Broom hit a soft chopper to third and beat the throw to first to win the game. Terrell allowed just three hits and one walk through eight shutout innings and struck out seven.
“He pitched really well,” head coach Derrick Jerkins said of Terrell. “His velocity wasn’t really there that day, but he competed. We thought if we could just scratch across a run, we’d have a good chance at winning the game. We had a bunch of runners in scoring position, but it took us until the eighth before we could put a run across. We knew after the third or fourth inning with Shelby on the mound, one would be enough.”
For the nightcap March 14, the Trojans offense, which had just two hits against Northwest Rankin, was held to three hits in a 3-0 loss to Heritage Academy by a Mississippi State commit. Blocker, Noel Parrett and Josh Boone each had a single, but the rest of West Marion was stymied at the dish. On the mound, Duncan tossed four strong innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits, and Boone was tagged for two unearned runs in two innings.
Jerkins said the Battle at the Beach was a great learning experience for the Trojans.
“We saw some really good arms that will prepare us for district. Against Northwest Rankin, that was a big win for us. We went out and competed against a team that had a lot of talent on it,” he said. “When we put everything together, we can really compete with a lot of really good teams.”
West Marion bounced back at Tylertown Friday for its second district victory with a 17-3 victory. The Trojans had nine hits and 10 different batters drew walks. Mason Parrett had a double, a single and 2 RBI, and Terrell, Blocker and Duncan each drove in two runs with one hit. Noel Parrett was great on the mound, striking out five in three innings without allowing a hit.
Jerkins said hitting with runners in scoring position is the one area West Marion has to improve on going forward.
“We’re getting a lot guys on base right now, but we just need to come up with some clutch hits,” he said. “I think we’re playing pretty defense and our pitchers are rolling. We get a lot of guys on base, but our big problem is just getting them in. We work the count well, draw some walks and run the bases pretty well, but getting them that last 90 feet has been a problem for us.”
The Trojans continued their district slate Tuesday night at Wesson, but results were unavailable at press time. They will play Wesson again Thursday at home.
Pictured Above: West Marion's Noel Parrett throws a pitch against Tylertown. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
