Mississippi Diamond Notes returns for the 2026 season, spotlighting standout performances from across the state based on nominations submitted by high school coaches. Each Wednesday throughout the season, we will recognize position players, pitchers, and two-way contributors who have earned attention with their on-field performances.

We appreciate the many coaches who took the time to submit nominations this week. 👏

Now, let’s take a look at the players from around Mississippi featured in this week’s Mississippi Diamond Notes.

  

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MISSISSIPPI DIAMOND NOTES: WEEK 3

Pitchers

+ Aiden Smith (Poplarville)
Aiden Smith turned in a strong week on the mound for Poplarville, logging 7.1 innings across three appearances for the Hornets. The right-hander allowed just three runs while striking out nine, providing valuable innings and helping stabilize the pitching staff throughout the week.

+ Drew Davis (Sumrall)
Drew Davis delivered a dominant outing for Sumrall in the Bobcats’ win over West Lauderdale. The Alabama recruit tossed seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits while racking up an impressive 18 strikeouts, showcasing his ability to overpower opposing hitters.

+ Wyatt McDaniels (Mooreville)
Wyatt McDaniels was outstanding on the mound in Mooreville’s win over Saltillo. The Troopers’ right-hander worked 5.1 innings, allowing only two hits and one run while walking none and striking out 12 in a commanding performance.

+ Carson Willis (New Hope)
Carson Willis put together a dominant start for New Hope in a win over Itawamba. The Trojans’ right-hander threw 6.2 innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while not issuing a walk and striking out 16 batters.

+ Johan Baez (Ocean Springs)
Johan Baez turned in a quality outing for Ocean Springs in a win over Biloxi. The right-hander worked 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while not issuing a walk and striking out eight for the Greyhounds.

+ Patterson Gilfoil (Ocean Springs)
Patterson Gilfoil provided a strong relief appearance for Ocean Springs in their win over Biloxi. The right-hander tossed four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five to help secure the victory.

+ Dalton Pixley (Northwest Rankin)
Dalton Pixley was effective on the mound for Northwest Rankin in the Cougars’ win over West Lauderdale. The right-hander threw five innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out nine.

+ Peyton Bray (Park Place Christian)
Peyton Bray turned in a dominant performance in Park Place Christian’s win over Central Hinds Academy. Bray tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits across seven innings while striking out 12.

+ Jarrett Thomas (Alcorn Central)
Jarrett Thomas delivered a complete-game shutout for Alcorn Central in a win over Myrtle. The right-hander went the full seven innings, allowing only two hits while striking out five to lead the Golden Bears.

+ Braedyn Lackie (Hamilton)
Braedyn Lackie had a standout week for Hamilton, highlighted by a seven-inning no-hitter with seven strikeouts in a win over Caledonia. He also made a major impact at the plate, collecting four hits including a double while scoring six runs and driving in eight.

+ Tucker Elliott (Myrtle)
Tucker Elliott threw a five-inning no-hitter to lead Myrtle to a win over Ingomar. The right-hander dominated on the mound, striking out 10 batters while not allowing a hit in the impressive outing.

Hitters

+ Ty Keys (Poplarville)
Ty Keys had a productive week at the plate for Poplarville, going 5-for-12 for the Hornets. Keys added a home run, two stolen bases, and four RBIs while helping spark the offense.

 + Tate Murphy (St. Stanislaus)
Tate Murphy had a big week offensively for St. Stanislaus, going 8-for-13 at the plate. The Rock-A-Chaws standout launched two home runs, scored six runs, and drove in nine RBIs.

+ Eli McDaniels (Mooreville)
Eli McDaniels powered the Mooreville offense during the week, going 6-for-9 at the plate. The Troopers standout blasted two home runs, added three doubles, and drove in six RBIs.

+ Jones Roberson (Washington)
Jones Roberson put together an impressive all-around week for Washington. At the plate, he hit .600 with two home runs, two doubles, and nine RBIs, while also tossing five shutout innings with 12 strikeouts on the mound.

+ Justin San Miguel (Ocean Springs)
Justin San Miguel had a strong offensive week for Ocean Springs, going 6-for-9 at the plate. He added two doubles, three stolen bases, and five RBIs while helping lead the Greyhounds lineup.

+ Vic Rojas (Ocean Springs)
Vic Rojas provided consistent offense for Ocean Springs, collecting five hits in eight at-bats. He added a double, two stolen bases, and scored seven runs for the Greyhounds.

+ Nelson Barthel (Northwest Rankin)
Nelson Barthel had a productive stretch for Northwest Rankin as the Cougars picked up three wins. Barthel went 5-for-10 at the plate with two doubles and four runs scored.

+ Russ Ingram (Northwest Rankin)
Russ Ingram continued to swing the bat well for Northwest Rankin, hitting .444 on the week while helping the Cougars secure three key victories.

+ De’Shann Hannah (Center Hill)
De’Shann Hannah had a standout week for Center Hill, going 7-for-10 at the plate. The Mustangs hitter added a double while scoring four runs and driving in seven.

+ Jayse Johnson (Alcorn Central)
Jayse Johnson was a spark for the Alcorn Central offense, going 6-for-8 on the week. He added two doubles, drew five walks, drove in two runs, and scored nine times for the Golden Bears.

+ Jackson Miller (Alcorn Central)
Jackson Miller contributed consistently at the plate for Alcorn Central, going 5-for-8 with a double and five RBIs to help lead the Golden Bears offense.

+ Ty Whitten (Alcorn Central)
Ty Whitten had a strong week at the plate for Alcorn Central, going 6-for-9. He added a double while driving in four runs and scoring five times.

+ Seth Welch (Hamilton)
Seth Welch was a key contributor during Hamilton’s 5-0 week, hitting .538 at the plate. He tallied a home run, four doubles, four stolen bases, five RBIs, and scored seven runs.

+ JD Whitaker (Hamilton)
JD Whitaker turned in a solid week offensively for Hamilton, going 6-for-14 with a double and six RBIs as the Lions continued their strong run.

+ Ian Nichols (Hamilton)
Ian Nichols produced offensively for Hamilton, collecting four hits on the week including a double and a triple while driving in five runs.

+ Myles Self (Hamilton)
Myles Self added depth to the Hamilton lineup with four hits on the week. He also recorded a double, drew four walks, drove in two runs, and scored six times for the Lions.

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UPCOMING 2026 EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
South Mississippi Rising Stars ID	04/01	Mississippi Gulf Coast CC - Perkinston, MS
Central Mississippi Rising Stars ID	04/19	Clinton HS - Clinton, MS
South Mississippi Summer ID	06/02	Pearl River CC - Poplarville, MS
South Mississippi Rising Stars ID	06/02	Pearl River CC - Poplarville, MS
Magnolia State Games	06/09-06/10	Freedom Ridge Park - Ridgeland, MS
Central Mississippi Summer ID	06/23	Clinton HS - Clinton, MS
Central Mississppi Rising Stars ID	06/23	Clinton HS - Clinton, MS
Starkville Summer ID	06/30	Starkville HS - Starkville, MS
Starkville Rising Stars ID	06/30	Starkville HS - Starkville, MS
Hattiesburg Summer ID	07/07	University of Southern Miss - Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg Rising Stars ID	07/07	University of Southern Miss - Hattiesburg, MS
Oxford Summer ID	07/14	Oxford HS - Oxford, MS
Oxford Rising Stars ID	07/14	Oxford HS - Oxford, MS

 

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