Ryan Nelson hit a Grand Slam in his first collegiate game

Vicksburg native and East Central Community College athlete Ryan Nelson hit a grand slam in his first collegiate baseball game on Thursday. In the seventh inning, Nelson smashed the ball to the left field to bring in four RBIs. He ended the game by going 2 for 3 at bat with three RBIs and one run.

East Central CC. defeated South Arkansas Community College 14-4.

Nelson is a Warren Central High School graduate who helped the Vikings reach the state championship game last year.

About the new season from East Central CC:

Decatur, MS – East Central Community College (ECCC) has announced its 2025 baseball schedule, highlighting a competitive slate of conference and non-conference games that promise an exciting season for the Warriors. Building on the momentum of last season’s record-breaking 55-9 performance, Head Coach Neal Holliman enters his 20th season with the program, joined by first-year assistants Zachary Crane, Innes Mackay, and Grant Griffin.

Season Opener and Early Challenges
The Warriors kick off their season on February 6, hosting South Arkansas at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex in Decatur, MS, with a 3:00 p.m. start. This opener is followed by home matchups against Shelton State on February 11 and Marion Military on February 15, setting the tone for a challenging and exciting season.

2025 Ochsner Invitational
The annual Ochsner Invitational will be held at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex from February 16-18. The tournament opens on Friday, February 16, with Southwest Illinois facing S.E. Iowa at 11:00 a.m., followed by S.E. Iowa against Southwest Mississippi at 2:30 p.m., and Southwest Mississippi taking on Southwest Illinois at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday, February 17, East Central faces S.E. Iowa at 11:00 a.m., while Wallace-Hanceville plays S.E. Iowa at 2:00 p.m. The day continues with East Central competing against Kirkwood at 4:30 p.m. and ends with Wallace-Hanceville battling Kirkwood at 7:00 p.m. A coin flip between Wallace-Hanceville and S.E. Iowa will determine the home team for Sunday’s games.

The tournament concludes on Sunday, February 18, with Kirkwood playing Wallace-Hanceville at noon and East Central taking on Kirkwood at 2:30 p.m.

Conference Play and Notable Matchups
Conference play begins on March 12 with a road doubleheader against East Miss in Scooba, MS. The Warriors’ first home conference game is scheduled for March 15 against Mississippi Delta C.C. Other key matchups include games against Pearl River C.C. on March 18, Hinds C.C. on April 1, and Meridian C.C. on April 9. The regular season concludes on April 29 with a road game at Jones College in Ellisville, MS.

Postseason Aspirations
The postseason begins with the regional tournament from May 6-9, followed by the super regional tournament from May 14-16. The Warriors aim to secure a spot in the NJCAA World Series, set to take place from May 24-31 in Enid, Oklahoma.

Building Momentum
With strong leadership and a talented roster, the Warriors are poised to make the 2025 season one to remember. Fans are encouraged to attend home games and follow the team on the road as they pursue success. Stay updated on Warrior Baseball by following “ecccbaseball” on social media. Mark your calendars and join the excitement of the 2025 season!