Hayden Dunhurst, Logan Tanner: Semifinalists for Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year

The Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year award has been narrowed down to 16 semifinalists.

Two of those 16 play in the state of Mississippi and those two second-year freshmen are both from right here on the six Coastal counties.

Introducing Ole Miss catcher and Pearl River Central alum Hayden Dunhurst, alongside Mississippi State catcher and George County alum Logan Tanner.

Dunhurst is a force in the middle of the Ole Miss line up, batting .305 to go along with six home runs and 37 RBI while leading the Rebels with 30 walks.

Tanner is doing similar damage for Mississippi State, hitting .290 with a team-leading 11 homeruns and 39 RBI and is second on the Bulldogs with 28 free passes.

The crazy part is they’re both even better behind the plate.

Here’s a statement on Dunhurst from his former coach at PRC, Neil Walther. “What I said about Hayden to every scout that called me over the years is that despite his great bat and arm, the best part of his game is receiving. His receiving actually makes all the pitchers better which is the attribute of a great player, making their teammates better.”

Now here’s George County’s Brandon Davis, getting the chance to brag on Tanner. “Well, Logan, when he was – nothing surprises me that he does. We talk about some plays he made in high school on bunt plays. Sliding down the third baseline with shin guards and we’re all screaming throw the ball to first and he throws a guy out at third base. And I just look forward to him continuing down the path that he’s on, and hopefully he wins the award. I mean that would be amazing for him to be recognized at Mississippi State and obviously George County.”

The three finalists up for the Buster Posey Award will be announced on June 7^th after Regionals.