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 8

+ Cooper Smith (Petal HS) turned in a dominant outing on the mound, working 5 innings while allowing just 2 hits and striking out 12 in an 11-1 win over Pearl. He attacked hitters throughout and showed the ability to miss bats consistently while keeping traffic to a minimum.

+ Easton Giger (Petal HS) delivered on a loud week at the plate, going 3-for-7 with three home runs, 6 RBIs, and 3 runs scored, showcasing big-time power and impact production.

+ Dawson Dykes (Petal HS) filled up the stat sheet offensively, going 4-for-5 with 3 walks, 2 RBIs, 4 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases, consistently getting on base and creating pressure.

+ Ty Keys (Poplarville HS) contributed on both sides, going 5-for-10 with 2 runs scored while also tossing 5 innings with 6 strikeouts to earn a win over Columbia, showing his value as a two-way contributor.

+ Jett Smith (Poplarville HS) impacted the game in multiple ways, going 4-for-11 with 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored, and 4 stolen bases—including stealing home, while also throwing 2.1 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts to secure a save versus Columbia. 

+ Aiden Smith (Poplarville HS) came through in a big moment with a go-ahead pinch-hit two-RBI double and also dominated on the mound, working 6.2 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts to earn the win over Columbia.

+ Trip Jones (Poplarville HS) stayed productive at the plate, going 3-for-9 with a .500 OBP while adding 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored, consistently reaching base.

+ Brayden Lee (Poplarville HS) showed solid on-base ability, going 4-for-10 with a .455 OBP and continuing to provide quality at-bats.

+ Jaxon Herod (West Union HS) continued his hot stretch, going 6-for-13 with 2 home runs, 8 RBIs, 6 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases, providing power and speed.

+ Cohen Russell (West Union HS, 8th grade) delivered a dominant no-hitter, working 5 innings while facing the minimum with 6 strikeouts and no walks in a 16-0 victory.

+ JJ Morreale (Pearl River Central HS, PRCC Commit) hit .500 (5-for-10) with a double, triple, 3 RBIs, and 6 runs scored, serving as a catalyst offensively.

+ Talon Cipriano (Pearl River Central HS) posted a .429 average with a .636 OBP, adding 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored while consistently reaching base.

+ Ayden Radosta (Pearl River Central HS) turned in a strong outing, throwing 7 innings while allowing just 1 run on 4 hits with no walks and 6 strikeouts versus Picayune.

+ Roman Mitchell (Pearl River Central HS, Southwest Miss CC Signee) was dominant across 5.2 innings, allowing just 2 hits with 9 strikeouts and no earned runs versus Picayune.

+ Cole Bounds (Pearl River Central HS) worked 5 innings allowing just 1 run while striking out 4 and keeping Picayune hitters off balance.

+ Sutton Gore (Regents School of Oxford HS) dominated on the mound, striking out 13 over 5 innings while allowing just 1 hit with no walks and no runs versus Delta Academy.

+ JD Whitaker (Hamilton HS) excelled both ways, throwing 6 innings with 11 strikeouts while also going 5-for-6 with a home run, triple, 4 RBIs, and 2 walks.

+ Braedyn Lackie (Hamilton HS) tossed a perfect game over 4 innings with 8 strikeouts, overpowering hitters in a dominant showing.

+ Seth Welch (Hamilton HS) went 3-for-3 with a double, 3 RBIs, and 3 runs scored, producing in every plate appearance.

+ Jaxson Bigham (Hamilton HS) delivered impact offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run, triple, 4 RBIs, and multiple walks in the series.

+ Eli Hicks (Sumrall HS) had a huge week, going 6-for-10 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs, 8 RBIs, and 6 runs scored.

+ Drew Davis (Sumrall HS) continued his strong play, going 6-for-8 with extra-base hits including a home run while driving in 4 runs and scoring 4 times.

+ Tucker Barrett (Sumrall HS) provided power, going 6-for-8 with a triple, two home runs, 7 RBIs, and 4 runs scored.

+ Braylen Graham (Sumrall HS) went 4-for-6 with a home run, 5 RBIs, and 6 runs scored in a strong offensive showing.

+ Braelyn Harrison (Sumrall HS) went 6-for-10 with two doubles, two triples, 4 RBIs, and 5 runs scored.

+ Rylan Stanley (New Site HS) went 4-for-7 with a double and 2 RBIs, continuing his strong offensive production.

+ Colton Trimble (New Site HS) starred both ways, throwing 6.2 innings with 10 strikeouts while also going 4-for-9 with a double and 5 RBIs at the plate.

+ Miller Finn (Pontotoc HS) dominated with a complete game effort, striking out 14 over 7 innings while allowing just one hit versus West Point. 

+ Jackson Miller (Alcorn Central HS) had a massive week, going 9-for-12 with a double, 6 RBIs, 5 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases.

+ Haydon Quinn (Alcorn Central HS, 2029) threw a complete game no-hitter with 8 strikeouts in a dominant outing over Hickory Flat.

+ Zane Depoyster (Alcorn Central HS) went 7-for-11 with 6 runs scored, 3 walks, and continued to pressure defenses in game action last week. 

+ Aaron Harris (Caledonia HS) was dominant, throwing 8 scoreless innings with 9 strikeouts and just one walk against New Hope.

+ Tucker Elliott (Myrtle HS) worked 6.1 innings allowing just 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 5 in a strong outing versus East Union.

+ Jaxon Robbins (Myrtle HS) tossed 5 hitless innings with 3 strikeouts, limiting damage despite a few runs vs East Union.

+ Colton Eason (Southeast Lauderdale HS) delivered a huge performance, throwing 10 innings with just 1 earned run and 10 strikeouts in a 12-inning walk-off win.

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UPCOMING 2026 EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
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
Jackson Summer ID	08/08	Jackson Prep - Flowood, MS
Jackson Rising Stars ID	08/08	Jackson Prep - Flowood, MS

 

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