MGCCC baseball set for MACJC Tournament

Daniel Miles had five hits in two games against Northeast in the MACJC Playoffs May 5-6.

PERKINSTON---While Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College head baseball coach Gary Rath looks ahead to 2013, he and the Bulldogs are also locked in on a more pressing engagement. Namely, a trip to Itawamba to face the No. 8 Indians at the 2012 MACJC Tournament Thursday at 6 p.m. Itawamba is hosting the double elimination event made up of the four teams the advanced through the first round of the MACJC Playoffs. Itawamba (37-9) swept East Central while Gulf Coast (27-17) dispatched Northeast in two games last weekend.

“The guys are really excited to return to the MACJC State Tournament,” said Rath. “This new four-team state tournament is extremely tough to get into now, especially fighting out of the South Division every year. It’s a result of all of the hard work these guys have put in since arriving in August. To be only one of two teams that have returned in consecutive years to the four team tournament testifies to the program and players that we’ve recruited and developed.”

The Bulldogs head to Fulton on the heels of sweeping Northeast behind timely hitting in a 7-5 game one victory and shutout pitching from starter Tyler Bray in a 5-0 series clincher. Sophomore Ben Slaton popped his 13th homer in the series while Daniel Miles recorded five hits in two games. The winner of Friday night’s contest moves on to the semi-finals Friday at 3 p.m. while the loser will play an elimination contest Friday at Noon. Hinds takes on Jones to open the tournament Thursday at 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, Rath and assistants Jake Long and Kyle Medley are already building toward the 2013 season.

“We’ve had 16 NCAA D-1 signees, 27 four year college signees, two major league draft choices, five MACJC All-state selections, and two-NJCAA All-Americans in my three seasons as head coach,” Rath added. “That shows the commitment we have to these players and the Gulf Coast Baseball program. “I am excited about the incoming 2013 class and look forward to more success at Gulf Coast in the future.”