Dreams of a CWS run come true for a pair of Coast players at Ole Miss

When Ole Miss punched its ticket to the College World Series for the first time since 2014, Pearl River Central alum Hayden Dunhurst was the one who started the dogpile.

And he’s not the only former local star heading to Omaha.

Ocean Springs alum Mitch Murrell also is representing for the six coastal counties. Much like East Central’s Brad Cumbest and George County’s Logan Tanner did for Mississippi State during last year’s national championship run.

This season, Dunhurst hit a clip of .247 with six home runs and 28 RBI in addition to throwing out 10 basestealers.

On the mound, Murrell logged a 3.52 ERA and 11 strikeouts across 7 and 2/3 innings.

News 25 caught up with Dunhurst’s and Murrell’s high school coaches to talk about a dream come true for both coasties.

“We knew great things were going to happen for him, but it does seem just like yesterday that he was out there practicing with us and playing with us,” said Neil Walther, PRC Head baseball coach. “You mention, as far as the team aspect, I mean with Hayden it was always that first anyway. So he’s just that type of player and I think that’s what helps make him be so successful at what he does at that level he’s doing it at.”

Brian Rea, who was the baseball coach at Ocean Springs when Murrell was playing for the Greyhounds, said it’s a pretty special time when he can see former players develop.

“It’s something as you get older in this profession that I appreciate a lot more now,” Rea said. “When you’re younger as a coach, you’re more focused on winning and things like that. But as you get some experience and years under you, you really appreciate moments like this that Mitch is about to be able to be a part of and a part of you is there with them.”