MHSAA Class 7A-1A: Sweet 16 Playoff Performers

April 30, 2025
Prep Baseball Mississippi Staff

MISSISSIPPI - The Sweet 16 round of the MHSAA Class 7A-1A 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 Elite 8. 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.

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CLASS 7A TOP PERFORMERS

Talon Haley (Lewisburg) - The Vanderbilt signee threw 5.2 innings, allowing 1 hit, 3 runs, 0 earned runs, 3 walks and had 11 punchouts.
Tanner Brannigan (Tupelo) - Tossed 7 innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 run, 0 earned runs, 1 walk and collected 5 K’s.
Grant Walendzik (Lewisburg) - Went 4 for 9 with a double and 3 RBI’s in the Patriots series with Tupelo.
Caden Nelson (Lewisburg) - The former Future Gamer went 5 for 9 with 2 doubles, a triple, and 3 RBI’s in the Patriots first round matchup with Tupelo.
Josh Pena (Hernando) - Had four hits, including two doubles and two RBI’s in their series against Clinton.
Luke Romine (Hernando) - Ole Miss signee collected three hits, including two doubles and three RBI’s in their matchup with Clinton.
Preston Johnson (Hernando) - The NWCC recruit had a pair of hits and two RBI’s against Clinton.
Donvan Dickson (Hernando) - Had three hits, including one double in their Sweet 16 series.
Stone Crain (Clinton) - The Pearl River recruit had three hits, including two home runs and picked up 8 RBI’s in their series win over Hernando.
Ethan Dodson (Clinton) - Another PRCC recruit who had five knocks and four RBI’s in the first round of the MHSAA Playoffs.
Chad Bates (Clinton) - The PRCC recruit scattered four hits in two games against Hernando.
Parker Thames (Clinton) - The senior picked up four hits in two games in round one of the playoffs.
Gage Thompson (Oak Grove) - The Jones College recruit threw a complete game, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, with 7 strikeouts in a Game 2 win over Biloxi.
Keith Forbes (Brandon) - The Meridian CC recruit went 5 for 9 with 4 RBI’s including a walk homer in a Game 1 win over St. Martin.
Grady Smith (Brandon) - Picked up the Game 3 win over St. Martin by throwing 5 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, with 7 strikeouts.
Jack Jordan (Ocean Springs) - The Jones College recruit threw 7 inning, allowing 6 hits, 0 earned runs, with 3 strikeouts in the Greyhounds Game 1 win over Northwest Rankin.
Brady Saxton (Northwest Rankin) - The Gulf Coast CC signee threw a 7 inning complete game, allowing 6 hits, 1 run, with 6 strikeouts in a Game 2 win over Ocean Springs.
Nelson Barthel (Northwest Rankin) - The former Future Gamer went 4 for 8 with a double and 2 RBI’s in the Cougars series with Ocean Springs.
Adam Clower (Ocean Springs) - The Pearl River CC recruit went 4 for 8 with an RBI in the Greyhounds series win over Northwest Rankin.
Justin San Miguel (Ocean Springs) - The former Future Gamer and Troy recruit picked up 3 big hits including a double with 4 RBI’s in a series win over Northwest Rankin.

CLASS 6A TOP PERFORMERS

Jordan Evers (Saltillo) - Threw 4 innings of one hit baseball, allowing 0 runs with 7 strikeouts.
Cooper Burleson (Saltillo) - went 2 for 2 with a double and 5 RBI’s in the Tigers first round series sweep.
Nathaniel Moore (Warren Central) - tossed 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 run, with 7 punch outs in the Vikings Game 1 win over Center Hill.
Maddox Lynch (Warren Central) - scattered 5 hits over 6 innings, allowing just 1 run with 4 strikeouts in the Vikings Game 2 win over Center Hill. He also went 5 for 6 with a double and 3 RBI’s.
Ty Edward (Grenada) - went 5 for 6 with 2 doubles and an RBI in the Chargers series with Ridgeland.
Hayden Lee (Grenada) - picked up 4 hits in 8 at bats including 2 doubles, a triple, and an RBI in the Chargers first round series win.
Ayden Radosta (Pearl River Central) - threw 6 innings, allowed 1 earned run on 5 hits, with 5 strikeouts in a Game 1 win over Pascagoula.
Cole Bounds (Pearl River Central) - tossed 6 innings, allowing 2 runs, with 3 strikeouts in the Blue Devils Game 2 win.
JJ Morreale (Pearl River Central) - went 4 for 8 with a home runs and 3 doubles in the Blue Devils series win over Pascagoula.
Blake Gill (Pearl River Central) - went 3 for 6 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI’s in a series win over Pascagoula.
Bryce O’Neal (George County) - went 5 for 7 with a home run, double, and 8 RBI’s in a series win over Terry.
Colt Robertson (Picayune) - threw 6 ⅔ innings in a game 1 win over West Jones, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, with 5 strikeouts.
Braxton Sumrall (West Jones) - picked up 5 hits in 9 at bats, with 3 runs scored in the Mustangs series win over Picayune.
Cole Tolbert (West Jones) - threw a complete game shutout, allowing 5 hits with 5 strikeouts in a Game 2 win over Picayune. He also went 4 for 9 with a home run and 6 RBI’s.

CLASS 5A TOP PERFORMERS

Ty Jones (North Pike) - threw a complete game, allowing 1 earned run on 6 hits, with 4 strikeouts in the Jaguars Game 1 win over East Central.
Anthony Tanner (East Central) - picked up 4 hits, including 2 doubles and 5 RBI’s in the Hornets series win over North Pike.
Hunter Harper (Vancleave) - tossed 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 run, with 7 strikeouts in a Game 1 win over Brookhaven.
Aiden Tapp (Vancleave) - went 8 for 12 with a double, triple, and 4 RBI’s in a series win over Brookhaven.
Brayden Wilson (Brookhaven) - threw 6 ⅓ innings, allowing 3 hits, 0 earned runs, with 7 strikeouts in a playoff win over Vancleave.
Griffin Smith (Brookhaven) - Went 4 for 7 with 3 doubles and 3 walks in the Panthers series with playoff series with Vancleave.
Levi Hamm (Lafayette) - went 3 for 4 with a triple and 5 RBI’s in the Commodores series win over Greenville.
Corbyn Clayton (Pontotoc) - tossed a 7 inning shutout, allowing just 1 hit with 11 strikeouts in a game 2 win over Cleveland Central.
Noah Reynolds (Florence) - went 4 for 6 with 2 doubles, a triple, and 6 RBI’s in the Eagles series sweep over Gautier.
Jaboris Buckley (Florence) - went 5 for 6 with a double and 5 RBI’s in a series win over Gautier.
Rod Davis Jr. (Florence) - threw 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, 0 earned runs, with 8 strikeouts in a game 1 win over Gautier.
Dylan Causey (South Jones) - threw 5 ⅓ innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 run, with 7 strikeouts in the Braves Game 1 win over Wayne County.
Micah Coutta (South Jones) - had a couple of big hits including a home run and 7 RBI’s in the Braves series win over Wayne County.

CLASS 4A TOP PERFORMERS

Cayden Prestage (Itawamba, 2026) - The former Future Gamer and uncommitted junior went seven innings, allowed five hits, no earned runs, three walks and had ten strikeouts in a Game 1 win over Caledonia.
Braeden Dobbs (Itawamba) - Logged six innings in a crucial Game 3 win, allowed just four hits, one run, two walks and had five strikeouts.
Cooper Waddle (2025) - The Southern Miss signee had four hits and one RBI in their three game series with Caledonia.
Aaron Harris (Caledonia) - Picked up a total of five hits in their three game set with Itawamba AHS.
Xavier Thompson (West Lauderdale) - Had five hits, including a double and home run. Would also pick up four RBI’s in their sweep over North Pontotoc.
Carter Horton (West Lauderdale) - Had five hits and four RBI’s in West Lauderdale’s series sweep in Round 2.
Cody Pigford (West Lauderdale) - Picked up three hits, including a double and home run to go along with three RBI’s in Round 2.
Cooper Rainer (West Lauderdale) - Had four hits, one being a home run and four RBI’s for West Lauderdale in Round 2.
Rylan Kenter (North Pontotoc) - Had three hits and one RBI in their series against West Lauderdale.
Ethan Burton (Newton County) - Tossed five innings of no-hit ball, allowed just three walks and had three strikeouts in a Game 1 win over Kosciusko.
Hayden Amis (Newton County) - The Pearl River CC recruit had four hits, one being a double and four RBI’s in Round 2 of the playoffs.
Camden Thoms (Newton County) - The Meridian CC signee had three hits, including a double and three RBI’s in their sweep over Koscuisko.
Jackson Moore (Tishomingo County) - The NEMCC recruit had five hits and three RBI’s in their three game series with New Albany.
Beau Crum (Tishomingo County) - Picked up five hits, including a solo HR and a double along with a pair of RBI’s.
Parker Skinner (New Albany) - Tossed 7.2 innings, allowed six hits, one run, three walks, and had 12 K’s in a tough 2-1 loss to Tishimingo County.
Jacob Simmons (New Albany) - Logged seven innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, two walks and had three strikeouts in a win over Tishomingo County.
Leo Odom (Sumrall) - The former Future Gamer and Ole Miss signee went 3 for 6 with a home run, triple, and 5 RBI’s in the Bobcats series win over Poplarville. Odom also threw 5 shutout innings, allowing just 1 hit, with 3 strikeouts in their Game 2 win.
Landon Hawkins (Sumrall) - The Pearl River CC recruit had 5 RBI’s in the Bobcats series sweep over Poplarville.
Jacob Parker (Purvis) - The Mississippi State signee went 4 for 5 with 3 home runs and 4 RBI’s in the Tornadoes series sweep over Greene County.
Jo Jo Parker (Purvis) - The Mississippi State signee went 5 for 8 with a home run, triple, double, and 7 runs scored in a series sweep over Greene County.
Kade Lawler (Purvis) - Threw 6 innings, allowing just 3 hits, 1 run, with 6 strikeouts in a Game 2 win over Greene County.
Drew Swan (Purvis) - The East Central CC recruit picked up 5 RBI’s in the Tornadoes round 2 sweep of Greene County.
Ryne Herrington (Northeast Jones) - Threw a complete game, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, with 9 strikeouts in the Tigers Game 1 win over Forrest County. Herrington also went 3 for 5 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI’s in the series. \
Kade Mozingo (Northeast Jones) - Threw a complete game shutout, allowing 3 hits, with 10 strikeouts in the Tigers Game 2 win over Forrest County.

CLASS 3A TOP PERFORMERS

Kipptyn Briggs (Kossuth) - The former Junior Future Gamer had two hits, including a home run and four RBI’s in their series sweep over Winona.
Noah Caldwell (Kossuth) - Picked up four hits and three RBI’s for the Aggies offense in their Sweet 16 matchup with Winona.
Ethan Killough (Kossuth) - Another Junior Future Gamer that tossed four innings on no-hit ball, walked one and had six punchouts.
Brody Thompson (Mooreville) -The Itawamba CC signee tossed a CG, going seven innings, allowing three hits, two earned runs, no walks and had 11 strikeouts over Yazoo County.
Wyatt McDaniels (Mooreville) - Had three hits, two of which were doubles and also added an RBI.
Parker Barron (Yazoo County) - Would pick up four hits and five RBI’s in their series with Mooreville. Four of the five hits being doubles.
Cooper Stidham (East Webster) - Had three hits and three RBI’s in their sweep over Humphreys County.
Kross Avent (East Webster) - Had four hits, one being a double and picked up three RBI’s in two games.
Peyton Thomas (Choctaw County) - Went five innings, allowed four hits, one run, two walks and had five strikeouts in their 12-1 win over Independence.
Jack Hood (Choctaw County) - Tossed four innings, allowed three hits, no earned runs, two walks and had 8 punchouts in Game 2 over Independence.
Jeremiah Miller (Choctaw County) - Had four hits and three RBI’s in their series sweep over Independence.
Quincy Stevens (Choctaw County) - Picked up five hits, two of them being doubles, and two RBI’s in two games against Independence.
JD Harvey (Seminary) - The former Future Gamer went 4 for 11 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI’s in a series win over St. Patrick.
Jomarrion Flowers (Seminary) - Picked up 6 hits in a series win over St. Patrick with a double and 4 RBI’s.
Dan Sinclair (Seminary) - Went 5 for 9 with 2 RBI’s in the Bulldogs series win over St. Patrick.
Eric McCullum (Seminary) - Had 4 hits in 9 at bats with a double and 4 RBI’s in a series win over St. Patrick.
Jacob Alexander (St. Patrick) - Threw 7 innings, allowing 3 hits, 0 earned runs, with 7 strikeouts in a Game 2 win over Seminary.
Wyatt Garrett (Wesson) - Threw 7 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, with 7 strikeouts in a Game 1 win over St. Stanislaus.
Ayden Dartez (St. Stanislaus) - Went 6 for 10 with 3 doubles and 6 RBI’s in the Rock-a-Chaws series win over Wesson.
Stephen Hutchinson (St. Stanislaus) - Had 4 hits including 2 doubles and 4 RBI’s in a series win over Wesson.

CLASS 2A TOP PERFORMERS

Landon Harmon (East Union) - The former Prep Baseball All-American and Mississippi State signee tossed five innings, allowed one hit, no runs, five walks and struck out eleven in their 10-0 win.
Hunter Huffstatler (East Union) - Picked up four hits, all of which resulted in a double. Also collected four RBI’s for the Urchins.
Tristan Baldwyn (East Union) - The Northwest Mississippi CC signee had two hits, including a home run and a double and also picked up five RBI’s for East Union in their series sweep.
Landon Stanley (New Site) - Logged eight innings on the bump, allowed seven hits, one earned run and picked up seven strikeouts. At the plate, had three hits, including a double and one RBI.
Jayden Greene (New Site) - Tossed six innings, allowed just two hits, no earned runs and collected eight punchouts.
JD Whitaker (Hamilton, 2026) - The former Future Gamer went 6.2 innings, allowed two hits, no runs, six walks and recorded 13 strikeouts in their 7-0 win over Calhoun City.
Braedyn Lackie (Hamilton) - Had six hits at the plate, one being a double and tallied four RBI’s against Calhoun City.
Hunter Barnes (Hamilton) - Had seven hits, including two doubles and a triple for Hamilton. Barnes also snagged three RBI’s in their sweep.
Luke Williams (Clarkdale) - Was dominant on the mound, tossed 7 innings, allowed just three hits, no runs, one walk and recorded 14 strikeouts in a 5-0 win in Game 1 over St. Andrew’s.
Jax Joyner (Clarkdale) The East Mississippi CC signee had a strong performance in a must-win Game 3. Went a CG 7 IP, allowed three runs, no walks and had 11 punchouts.
Logan Hall (North Forrest) - Collected five hits, including a double and also had four RBI’s in their three game set with Bogue Chitto.
Caiden Brown (North Forrest) - Picked up three hits, one being a double and brought home a pair of RBI’s.
Brandon Harris (North Forrest) - Reached several times in their three game series, had four hits and picked up a pair of RBI’s.
Manny Conerly (Bogue Chitto) - Had three hits and two RBI’s in their series against North Forrest.
Tucker Kyzar (Bogue Chitto) - Had a pair of hits and three RBI’s against North Forrest.
Tripp McCaffrey (Bogue Chitto) - Tossed 7 innings, allowed just two hits, two runs, four walks and had 11 strikeouts.
Warren Wallace (Bogue Chitto) - Wallace had six total hits, including one double and picked up a total of five RBI’s in three games against North Forrest.
McCade Bricker (Pisgah) - picked up five hits in their Sweet 16 sweep over Lake.
Ryder White (Pisgah) - The East Central CC recruit had four hits, including a double and one RBI in their two game set with Lake.
JD Gibson (Lake) - Had four hits in the series with Pisgah and also collected one RBI.

CLASS 1A TOP PERFORMERS

Jon Grey Morrisson (West Union) - The uncommitted junior tossed five innings, allowed just two hits, one earned run, two walks and picked up 7 K’s.
Gavin Foley (West Union) - Picked up three hits and reached base twice via a walk in their series win over Falkner.
Grant Martin (West Union) - The Blue Mountain College signee had four hits and four RBI’s in their Sweet 16 series win.
Jaxon Herod (West Union) - The former Junior Future Gamer had a pair of hits and two RBI’s in their series win over Falkner.
Jake Foreman (West Union) - Had a strong series in round two as he had three hits and four RBI’s in two games.
Benton Burks (West Union) - The NEMCC signee picked up two hits and four RBI’s in their series win over Falkner.
Ford Matthews (Taylorsville) - The Hinds CC signee tossed 5.2 innings, allowed two hits, two earned runs, three walks and picked up 12 K’s in their win over Enterprise Brookhaven.
Treydric Barnes (Taylorsville) - The Southern Miss recruit had two hits, one being a home run, and two RBI’s in their sweep over Enterprise.
Easton Ford (Taylorsville) - Had a pair of hits and collected four RBI’s in their series win.
Brady Quinn (Taylorsville) - Collected four hits, including a double and four total RBI’s against Enterprise Brookhaven.
Caden Bester (Taylorsville) - Picked up four hits, two of them being doubles and two RBI’s in their Sweet 16 series.
Reco Crosby (Taylorsville) - Had four hits and one RBI in their series win over Enterprise Brookhaven.
Rush Watkins (Baldwyn) - Threw a complete game, scattering 6 hits, allowing 1 run, with 6 strikeouts in a Game 1 win over Myrtle.
Hunter Davis (Myrtle) - Tossed 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 earned run, with 2 strikeouts in a Game 2 win over Baldwyn.
Drew Stanton (Myrtle) - Went 6 for 8 with 3 doubles and 7 RBI’s in the Hawks series win over Baldwyn.
Jaxon Robbins (Myrtle) - Picked up 5 hits in 8 at bats including a double and 3 runs in the Hawks series win over Baldwyn.
Ray Moody (Myrtle) - Went 4 for 9 with 4 RBI’s in the Hawks series win over Baldwyn.
Wyatt Schnoor (Resurrection Catholic) - Threw 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, 0 runs, with 2 strikeouts in a Game 2 win over Noxapater.
Thomas Goralczyk (Tupelo Christian) - Threw a complete game 1 hitter with 7 strikeouts in a Game 1 win over Pine Grove in their second round series.
Nate Cornelison (Tupelo Christian) - Went 6 for 10 with 2 doubles out of the lead off spot for the Eagles in their series sweep of Pine Grove.

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