ELLISVILLE, Miss. — No. 3 Pearl River baseball battled back on the road to win game two of the series 7-3 after falling to No. 7 Jones 4-2 in game one. 

"We've won two out of three against them so far," head coach Michael Avalon said. "That's something we're thankful for against a rival, because we know how tough it is. I'll never take that for granted — it's extremely difficult to do. But our expectation is to win all three."

GAME ONE
Pearl River (23-7 overall, 5-1 MACCC) struck first against Jones (19-8, 2-2 MACCC) in the second inning when Gatlin Pitts (Fairhope, Ala.; Bayside Academy) delivered an RBI single, bringing home fellow middle infielder Jackson Beddoe (Sulpher, La.), giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats extended their lead in the third inning. Jackson Estes (Madison; Germantown) led off with a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and later scored on a perfectly executed squeeze bunt by Nico Williams (Gulfport) to make it 2-0.

Starting on the mound for the Wildcats, Logan Fontenelle (Biloxi) turned in three innings of work, allowing three runs before handing the ball over to JP Abt (Brandon; Hartfield Academy).

Jones responded in the bottom half of the third inning, capitalizing on a hit-by-pitch before launching back-to-back home runs to take the lead. The Bobcats added an insurance run in the sixth inning with a solo homer.

Despite a late push, Pearl River was unable to generate any more offense, as Jones held on for a 4-2 victory.

Pitts, Estes, Williams and Jackson Beddoe (Sulphur, La.) each had hits in the game. Cook walked twice. 

Fontenelle threw three innings of three-run baseball, scattering three hits and one walk. He struck out one. Abt allowed one run on three hits in 2 1/3 innings of work. Tanner Busby (Picayune) threw the final 2 2/3 innings, keeping the Bobcats scoreless while allowing just one hit and one walk.

GAME TWO 
Drew Harrison (Madison; Germantown) got the start on the mound for Pearl River in game two and delivered another strong outing. Fresh off earning MACCC Player of the Week honors, Harrison pitched into the fifth inning, allowing just two earned runs on five hits against a top-10 Jones squad.

Despite his impressive performance, Jones once again struck first, plating three runs in the third inning to take an early 3-0 lead.

Pearl River responded in the fourth inning. After Chap Cook (Canton; Canton Academy) worked a two-out walk to extend the frame, Williams came through in a big way, launching a two-run home run over the left field wall to spark the Wildcats' offense and cut the deficit to one.

The Wildcats took control in the fifth inning. Back-to-back walks, followed by a sacrifice bunt by Pitts that turned into an infield single, loaded the bases. With two outs, a passed ball and an error allowed two runs to score, giving Pearl River its first lead of the game. Coy Clements (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) kept the momentum going with an RBI single to bring home Pitts. Moments later, Cook delivered the biggest blow of the inning, crushing a home run over the left field fence — his sixth of the season — to extend the lead to 7-3.

With a comfortable advantage, Harrison and reliever Landon Watts (Picayune) shut the door the rest of the way, securing the win and earning Pearl River a split against Jones.

Pitts, Clements, Cook, Williams and Abel Thetford (Bossier City, La.; Parkway) each had hits. Cook and Williams had two RBIs apiece.

Harrison earned the win with 4 1/3 innings pitched. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks. Watts earned his second save of the year with 2 2/3 innings of one-hit baseball. He struck out four. 

NEXT UP 
The Wildcats head back home to take on East Mississippi in a Saturday doubleheader with game one scheduled for 2 p.m. 

TICKETS
Season and single-game tickets are on sale now at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Season tickets are $120. Single-game tickets are $9 if purchased in advance or $11 if purchased on game day.

TUNE IN
All home Pearl River baseball games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans with Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.

Games will also be available over the air in Pearl River County by tuning into 1320-AM and 106.9 FM. The radio broadcast is also available at WRJWRadio.com and by downloading the WRJW app.

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).