PCA grabbed a 5-4 win over VHS on Saturday

Porter’s Chapel Academy baseball team picked up a close 5-4 win over Vicksburg High School on Saturday.

“We came away with a win but we got some things to work on tomorrow especially base running but overall the pitching was good and Chase came in there and kept us in the game the whole time,” PCA head coach Paul Ashley said. It’s always a tough game with those guys and Coach Calvin is a good coach and anything can happen when you got a rivalry like this one.”

The Gators opened up with Chris Green stealing a couple of bases while Kealon Bass got the RBI to help VHS go up 1-0. PCA responded with hits from Zach Ashley, Gavin Pugh, Chase Hearn and Thomas Azlin as they went up 3-1.

Connor Harrigill got the lone hit for VHS in the second while Kearris Gilliam got a nice steal at home while the Gators trailed 3-2. A double play by Vicksburg would keep the score the same heading into the third.

The Gators tied things up at three after a double by Chris Green and a sacrifice by Kealon Bass. Tyler Carter also got a double.

PCA would make a pitching change from Zach Ashley to Hearn in the fourth but Braylon Green would double to give VHS the 4-3 lead.

Chase Hearn: Photo by Ali Blackmon

The Eagles would regain the lead after Ashley got a double and PCA went up 5-4 heading into the fifth.

By the final inning, PCA still had their one run lead but VHS had the bases full after a hit by Mickell Jones with two outs. Gilliam would then ground out to Hearn who ran it in to the first base for the win.

Mickell Jones: Photo by Keith Phillips

”Today felt great especially with the whole defense being behind me but our attitude in the dugout made a big difference,” Hearn said. This is always a big city rivalry and they wanted just as much as we did.”

Hearn struck out five for PCA while Harrigill struck out three for VHS.

Connor Harrigill: Photo by Keith Phillips

Ashley went 3 for 3 at the plate with two RBIs along with a double. He also struck out three batters in the win.

Zach Ashley: Photo by Keith Phillips

“I went to the cage and hit a lot before the game but the people before me were hitting good so that got me hyped up and feeling good,” Zach said.

Palmer, Lawson Selby, Hearn, Pugh and Azlin all had hits as well.

Chris Green, Braylon Green, Harrigill, Tyler Carter and Gilliam all had hits for VHS.

“We like Porter’s Chapel a lot and we played a good brand of baseball against them,” VHS head coach Antonio Calvin said. If we clean up a few things it would’ve been a different ball game but every game we’re getting better.”

PCA will host Central Hinds on Monday and VHS will host Jim Hill on Tuesday.