Perkinston, Miss. — East Central Community College showcased both offensive firepower and pitching depth in a doubleheader split with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on Tuesday, cruising in the opener before grinding out a one-run victory in game two.
East Central wasted no time setting the tone in game one, erupting offensively in a 19-3 win behind one of its most complete performances of the season. The Warriors jumped out early and never let up, plating runs in multiple innings and consistently applying pressure at the plate.
Mason Hickman led the charge with a four-hit performance, driving in two runs and setting the table throughout the game. Davin Lowery delivered the biggest impact, finishing with a home run and six RBIs, repeatedly coming through in key situations. Jackson White added three hits and two RBIs, while Pablo Roque contributed two hits and two RBIs of his own. Briceton Johnson also played a key role with three RBIs, and Xavier Myles added three hits as East Central totaled 19 hits as a team.
On the mound, Trae Winn provided stability and control. The right-hander worked 5.2 innings, striking out eight while allowing three runs. Winn kept Mississippi Gulf Coast from building any sustained momentum and consistently worked out of trouble. Landon Moore followed in relief and closed out the game efficiently to secure the win.
Game two presented a much different challenge, as East Central had to battle in a tight, low-scoring contest to earn a 4-3 victory.
Mississippi Gulf Coast struck first with a run in the opening inning, but East Central answered in the second before delivering the decisive moment in the third. Jackson White came through with a clutch three-run home run, flipping the momentum and giving the Warriors a lead they would not relinquish. Pablo Roque followed with a solo home run, adding an important insurance run that ultimately proved to be the difference.
Jackson Clark delivered a strong outing on the mound, earning the win after pitching 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts. The left-hander limited damage despite traffic on the bases and kept Mississippi Gulf Coast from stringing together big innings.
The Bulldogs made things interesting late, pushing across runs in the sixth and seventh innings to cut the deficit to one. However, East Central's bullpen held firm under pressure. Andrew Nielsen bridged the gap, and Brant Melancon came on to secure the final outs, earning the save and sealing the win.
Across both games, East Central demonstrated its ability to win in multiple ways—overpowering opponents with explosive offense and executing in tight, high-pressure situations. The Warriors capitalized on timely hitting, strong starting pitching, and late-game composure to come away with a hard-fought split on the road.