ENID, Okla. — The Pearl River and East Central showdown will continue for one more game.
Despite the Wildcats taking a 5-3 lead into the eighth inning, the Warriors roared back to defeat the Wildcats 6-5 in 11 innings to set up a rematch tomorrow at 7 p.m. for a berth in the World Series Championship game. It will be the eighth matchup of the season for the teams. The winner of the contest will face Pasco-Hernando on Saturday at 7 p.m.
"We knew it wasn't going to be easy. They made a couple more plays than we did, just like we did the other night," head coach Michael Avalon said. "The last thing I told them before we walked off was that I love them and am proud of them.
"Baseball is a tough game. It's not always going to go the right way. We have to show up tomorrow and make more plays. These guys will show up and leave it all on the field."
East Central (46-15 overall) scored the opening two runs of the day in the second inning, turning a walk into an RBI triple and an RBI single, 2-0. Pearl River (52-9) got a run back in the third inning. Nico Williams (Gulfport) was hit by a pitch, and Keegan Giger (Petal) ripped a single into right field. When the Warrior right fielder zipped a throw to third base, it got away and allowed Williams to score, 2-1.
Nico Williams (Gulfport) propelled Pearl River in front in the fourth inning. Ethan Garner (Gulfport) reached on an infield single, and Logan Terry (Semmes, Ala.; East Central) walked before Williams blasted a three-run go-ahead home run, 4-3.
Garner broke out the pitching wedge in the sixth inning, golfing a ball low in the zone, high into the air, and out over the right field wall to make the score 5-3. The Warriors tied the game in the eighth, using an RBI single and a wild pitch to get it done.
Carson Fair (Southaven) kept the Warriors at bay in the ninth, sending PRCC into the bottom half with a chance to win. The Wildcats loaded the bases, but a flyout to left field ended the threat.
In the 11th, East Central took the lead and put things away in the bottom half to win 6-5.
Garner had PRCC's best showing at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Giger and Jacob Keys (Brandon) each had two hits. Williams drove in three runs on his long ball.
Camden Clark (Laurel; West Jones) tossed four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out five. Drew Harrison (Madison; Germantown) tossed 3 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits and striking out five. Fair threw the final 3 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits and two walks. He tallied four strikeouts.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are $15 per day or $75 for an all-tournament pass. Ages 7 and under are free. Tickets are $15 per day or $75 for an all-tournament pass. Ages 7 and under are free. They can be purchased at the gate.
HOW TO WATCH
The entirety of the 2025 NJCAA DII World Series will be broadcast live on the NJCAA Network at NJCAA.org/network. A Day Pass is $12, a Tournament Pass is $35 and a Championship Game Pass is $5.
The games will also be broadcast live at WRJWRadio.com.
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