MISSISSIPPI - The Sweet 16 round of the MHSAA Class 1A-7A state baseball playoffs delivered no shortage of standout performances as teams across the state began their championship quests. From dominant pitching to explosive offensive outbursts, players stepped up in big moments to lead their teams to crucial playoff victories that punched tickets to the Sweet 16. Here’s a look at some of the top individual performers who made a major impact and helped set the tone for what’s shaping up to be another exciting week of postseason play in Mississippi.

Please note that all players listed were submitted by high school coaches.

 

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PLAYOFF PERFORMERS

+ Jaxon Herod (West Union HS) completely took over in the series win over Pine Grove, going a perfect 5-for-5 with 3 home runs, a double, 4 RBIs, and 6 runs scored while drawing 3 intentional walks. He also added 8 strikeouts over 6 innings on the mound.

+ Jon Grey Morrisson (West Union HS) starred once again for the Eagles, going 4-for-7 with a home run, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs scored while also throwing a complete game with just 1 earned run allowed.

+ Jaxson Bigham (Hamilton HS) delivered a huge Game 3 performance in the series win over East Union, tossing a complete-game effort of 7 innings while allowing just 2 hits and striking out 3 on only 75 pitches.

+ J.D. Whitaker (Hamilton HS) was dominant in Game 1, striking out 10 over 7 innings while helping lead Hamilton to another playoff victory.

+ Tyner Flynt (Presbyterian Christian School) dominated the series win over Pisgah, going 6-for-7 at the plate with a double and 3 RBIs while also firing a complete game on the mound with 14 strikeouts in a true two-way showcase.

+ Ayden Wilbanks (Kossuth HS) turned in a dominant Game 1 playoff performance against Choctaw County, striking out an incredible 16 hitters over 5 innings while allowing just 4 hits and 1 run. 

+ Cooper Goff (Mooreville HS) had a monster series at the plate, hitting .571 (4-for-7) with 2 doubles, a home run, and 6 RBIs while consistently driving the baseball with authority.

+ Eli McDaniels (Mooreville HS) impacted the game on both sides, going 6-for-10 with a double, 2 RBIs, and 3 runs scored while also earning the win in relief with 5 strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings.

+ Wyatt McDaniels (Mooreville HS) continued his huge season with a .444 average (4-for-9), 2 home runs, 4 RBIs, and 4 runs scored while also striking out 10 over 6 2/3 innings on the mound.

+ Ty Keys (Poplarville HS) continued to spark the Hornets offense in the series win over Greene County, going 5-for-11 with a .600 OBP, a triple, and 6 runs scored while constantly creating pressure on the bases.

+ Jett Smith (Poplarville HS) delivered another huge postseason performance, going 5-for-11 with 2 doubles, 5 RBIs, and 5 runs scored as one of the leaders of the offense.

+ Chadwick Brown (Poplarville HS) came through in big spots during the series, going 3-for-10 with a double, a home run, and 7 RBIs to help power the Hornets to the next round.

+ Jase Schultz (Sumrall HS) stayed scorching hot in the series win over Purvis, going 7-for-10 and consistently setting the tone offensively for the Bobcats.

+ Drew Davis (Sumrall HS) put together one of the loudest performances of the playoffs, going 3-for-7 with 3 home runs, 8 RBIs, 4 runs scored, and 5 walks while constantly changing games with one swing.

+ Cory Paul Bond (Sumrall HS) delivered quality at-bats throughout the series, going 3-for-8 with a triple, 3 RBIs, and 3 walks while continuing to produce in key moments.

+ Tucker Barrett (Sumrall HS) brought major power production, going 3-for-8 with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs to help fuel the Bobcats offense.

+ Sam Patterson (Sumrall HS) turned in a strong outing on the mound, throwing 5 innings while allowing just 2 hits, 1 run, and no walks in the playoff series win.

+ Eli Housel (Grenada HS) delivered a dominant Game 1 performance in the playoff win over Warren Central, tossing 5 innings while allowing just 2 hits and no earned runs with 9 strikeouts. 

+ Blake Gill (Pearl River Central HS) had a massive series in the playoff win over West Jones, going 7-for-9 with a home run, 2 doubles, and 9 RBIs while leading the offensive charge for the Blue Devils. 

+ Brady Rodgers (Lewisburg HS) turned in a strong Game 1 performance in the playoff win over Germantown, tossing a complete 7 innings while allowing just 4 hits and 1 run with no walks and 4 strikeouts. 

+ Will Butler (Lewisburg HS) delivered a huge Game 2 performance to help Lewisburg advance, throwing 6 shutout innings while allowing just 4 hits and striking out 4 in the win over Germantown.

+ Hayes Huggins (Oxford HS) was outstanding in the series-clinching Game 2 win over Starkville, firing a complete-game 7-inning shutout while allowing just 3 hits and striking out 7. 

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UPCOMING 2026 EVENTS ⤵️

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
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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