The 2023 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Mississippi.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Pearl, MS at Trustmark Park as they compete for a state championship, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Mississippi. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing other pieces of content covering the Magnolia State.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our players of the week, updating the Top 10 in each MHSAA classification as well as a Power 25. 

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

 

High School Name: East Central High School

Coach’s Name: Bo Long 

Classification: MHSAA 5A 

2022 Record: 28-6

District Number: District 8 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 8 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 6 

Team Strengths: Hitting and Pitching

Top Returning Players:

• RHP/SS TJ Dunsford (Southern Miss)
• C Logan Terry (Pearl River CC)
• RHP/SS Andrew Marble (Jones County CC)
• OF Eli Smith (East Central CC)
• INF Brandt Dickerson (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC)
• INF Carson Ryder (East Central CC)

Top 2024 Prospects:

• UTL Nate Trochessett

Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:

• OF/LHP Anthony Tanner

Team Outlook:

The Hornets captured the 5A State Championship at Trustmark Park in May and are locked and loaded and ready to defend their title this coming spring! With 8 returning positional starters and 6 returning pitchers the Hornets must be considered the team to beat at the 5A level. 

TJ Dunsford is one of 6 seniors that have signed on to play at the next level. Dunsford, a Southern Miss recruit, should once again provide plenty of production at the plate while serving as one of the Hornets go to arms in big game action. Pearl River CC recruit Logan Terry is another powerful bat that will help with run production and be the signal caller for the pitching staff. Coach Bo Long will also look for added help from SS Andrew Marble (Jones College), infielders Brandt Dickerson (MS Gulf Coast CC) and Carson Ryder (East Central CC), and Eli Smith (East Central CC) in the outfield. 

The Hornets also return 23 wins from a staff last season that won 28 games including 10 game winner Andrew Marble (Jones College). TJ Dunsford and Eli Smith each contributed 6 wins on the mound as well. 

Underclassmen that may be relied on heavily include sophomore utility player Nate Trochessett and freshman OF/LHP Anthony Tanner. 

The Hornets looked primed and ready for repeat! 

 

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