George County drops opening game of 6A State Championship series to Saltillo, 4-3.

Back like they never left, the George County baseball team is in Pearl as they hope to clinch back-to-back Class 6A State Championship titles. Sports Director Ansley Brent was at Trustmark Park and gave us a recap on game one of the series.

George County kicked things off early with a 6:30 first pitch, but it didn’t matter what time this game started, the Rebels were ready from the jump.

Leadoff and center fielder Ben Davis reached on a walk and stole second base. Right fielder Tripp Lightsey, knowing exactly what he has to do with a runner in scoring position, laces one right up the middle past the second baseman and Davis never stops running. He makes the turn around third and he’s home free! The Rebels scored first thanks to an RBI single by Lightsey.

The Rebel ace is no stranger to the State Championship mound. Preston McAdory acting like this is his home turf, striking out not one but two runners in the first inning.

Fast forward to the fourth inning, Rebels still leading 1-0, Cayler Havard leading off this time for the Rebels and he sends one team into deep left field. This definitely would’ve been out at a high school field, but Harvard doesn’t mind settling for a standing double.

Next up to the plate is the catcher Blane Green. He finds a gap right up the middle and he rips one into no man’s land and on his high horse is Cayler Havard. Havard steps on the plate courtesy of Green’s RBI double and the Rebels are up 2 to zero.

In hopes of moving the runner, Brodie Cecchi bunts one perfectly towards the left of the catcher, he throws it to second but it’s deflected and Peyton Havard keeps his eye on the ball and he heads towards home as Green’s courtesy runner. You can see yes Blane Green jumping up and down, and as he should be because the Rebels have improved to a 3 to nothing lead after four complete innings.

Saltillo refused to lay down, they would go on to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh, forcing extra innings and then walking it off in the eighth with a single.

George County fell just short in this one, losing game one of the series 3 to four. Hats off to the starting pitcher Preston McAdory. He dealt on the mound, throwing 105 pitches for nine strikeouts and one hit. The Rebels will fight for their 2025 season Wednesday night when they face Saltillo again for game two at 7pm. Best of luck to George County as they continue their road to back to back titles!