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 4

PITCHERS

+ Cole Ellison (Canton Academy) turned in a dominant two-way performance, tossing seven innings of no-hit baseball against Winston Academy while striking out 11 and issuing no walks. Ellison also delivered the biggest swing of the night, launching a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to secure the win.

+ Cooper Giger (Petal), an Ole Miss commit, delivered a dominant outing on the mound by throwing a five-inning no-hitter with 13 strikeouts in a win over George County, showcasing overpowering stuff throughout the performance.

+ Kolby Stringer (West Marion), a Pearl River CC recruit, turned in a strong performance on the mound, tossing seven innings while allowing just two runs and piling up 18 strikeouts in a win over Columbia Academy.

+ Jarrett Thomas (Alcorn Central) continued his impressive stretch on the mound, throwing a seven-inning complete game while allowing just three hits and no earned runs with eight strikeouts and no walks in the Golden Bears’ win over Mantachie.

+ Drew Davis (Sumrall), an Alabama commit, continued his hot start on the mound with two appearances totaling 6⅔ innings, earning two wins while allowing just one hit and striking out 16 hitters.

+ JD Whitaker (Hamilton), a Pearl River CC recruit, worked five innings in the Lions’ win over Baldwyn, allowing three hits and three runs while striking out eight.

+ Braedyn Lackie (Hamilton) added another strong outing for the Lions, tossing six innings while scattering four hits and allowing three runs with six strikeouts in the win over Baldwyn.

+ Cooper Griffin (Jackson Academy) delivered a complete-game shutout over Simpson Academy, throwing seven innings while allowing just four hits and striking out nine.

+ Tyrese Haggard (Jackson Academy) tossed a seven-inning complete game in a win over Jackson Prep, allowing just one run on four hits while recording four strikeouts.

HITTERS

+ JJ Morreale (Pearl River Central) had an impressive week at the plate, going 10-for-14 with a double, four RBIs, and five runs scored for the Blue Devils.

+ Owen Bailey (Park Place Christian) was nearly unstoppable offensively, going 8-for-9 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, four RBIs, and six runs scored for the Crusaders.

+ Jackson Miller (Alcorn Central) collected four hits in six at-bats during the week, including a double, helping lead the Golden Bears to two wins over Mantachie.

+ Easton Channell (Pisgah) put together a strong week offensively, going 6-for-9 with a double and five RBIs for the Dragons.

+ Ryder White (Pisgah), an East Central CC recruit, went 6-for-11 on the week with a triple, two stolen bases, four runs scored, and five RBIs for the Dragons.

+ Braelyn Harrison (Sumrall), a Copiah-Lincoln CC signee, went 4-for-7 on the week with a home run, four stolen bases, five runs scored, and five RBIs for the Bobcats.

+ Braylen Graham (Sumrall) produced offensively for the Bobcats, going 4-for-8 with two doubles and seven RBIs during the week.

+ Myles Self (Hamilton) had a huge week at the plate, hitting .750 with two doubles, four walks, two stolen bases, and four runs scored in the Lions’ two wins over Baldwyn.

+ Ian Nichols (Hamilton) hit .500 during the week, adding three walks, three runs scored, and four stolen bases in the Lions’ two victories over Baldwyn.

+ Justin Word (Jackson Academy), a Southern Miss recruit, had a big offensive week going 9-for-17 with a double, three home runs, 11 runs scored, and eight RBIs.

+ Deuce Jenkins (Jackson Academy), a Mississippi State commit, also had a huge week at the plate, going 9-for-17 with a double, three home runs, eight runs scored, and 12 RBIs.

+ Tai Jones (Jackson Academy), a McClennan CC recruit, added to the Raiders’ offensive surge by going 9-for-21 with two doubles, three home runs, 10 runs scored, and 10 RBIs.

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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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