EC proves too much for WJHS

By Rob Winpigler, Leader-Call correspondent

May 11, 2008 05:44 pm

— For the West Jones baseball team, Friday’s game didn’t have quiet the desired ending as they were hoping for. The Mustangs ended their 2008 season at Mustang Field with a 13-4 loss to East Central.
East Central’s win gave the Hornets the South State 4A title and the right to play Vicksburg for the state title this week.
The loss, meanwhile, ended the Mustangs’ campaign with a 29-7 record.
“This was obviously not the way we wanted the year to end,” said West Jones head coach Joey Ward. “Our kids worked hard and did a great job this year. I wouldn’t trade this season for anything. But East Central has a good team and we just weren’t able to get past them.”
It also proved to be the final outing for eight seniors on the Mustang’s squad. Senior’s Rahn Tew, Traice Hill, Tyler Gardner, Alex Taylor, Chase Headrick, Hunter Jefcoat, Kraig Simpson and Ty Pulliam.
“They have been leaders for our team all year,” said Ward. “Their enthusiasm spread to the rest of the team and they were great leaders. They are not only great baseball players, but they are also great people that will be great citizens of our community.”
In Friday’s game, East Central got off to a fast start posting two runs in the top of the first inning. West Jones fought back in the bottom of the frame when Tew walked and Hill rapped a two-run homer.
EC added three runs in the second inning and four runs in the fourth before the Mustangs could put any more runs on the board. West Jones tried to make a game of it in the fourth when Brian Wells reached on a double and Brandon Holley reached on an error with no outs. Another Hornets error and a sacrifice fly would trim the lead to 9-4.
But that would be as close as West Jones would get. The Hornets added two runs in the fifth, along with one each in the sixth and seventh innings for the final score.
Hill led the Mustangs at the plate with the homer in the first and a single in the third. Gardner, Headrick and Brian Wells each had a double to complete the West Jones hit attack. Garrett Moore was tagged with the pitching loss, while Devin Huff and Pulliam both pitched in relief.
South Alabama-signee Phillip Byrd, who claimed the pitching win in game one, led EC with a three-run home run and a double, followed by Jarrod Howell with a double and two singles. Trey Porter was the winning pitcher for EC, while Ryan Hamilton tossed the final inning.