MS HS Team Preview: Madison Ridgeland Academy Patriots

January 23, 2024
Matt Miller
State Director

The 2024 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.

High School: Madison Ridgeland Academy
Head Coach: Allen Pavatte
Classification: MAIS Class 6A
2023 Record (Finish): 23-12

TEAM OUTLOOK

Madison Ridgeland Academy returns 6 positional starters and 4 pitchers from a squad that finished 23-12 after a matchup with eventual winner Jackson Prep in the MAIS 6A State Championship. Coach Allen Pavette feels overall experience on the diamond, along with team speed and solid lineup, will give his Patriots a strong chance to return to the championship series once again.

Top returners for MRA are seniors Corey Watkins (1B/LHP - Northwest MS CC recruit), Jack Dye (2B - Northwest MS CC recruit), Drew Lambert (RHP/OF - Jones College recruit), Ethan Mallett (OF - Meridian CC recruit), John Whit Snopek (3B Northwest MS CC recruit), Camp Segrest (RHP - Southwest MS CC recruit), Nicholas Arnold (OF), and sophomore Will Bizot (3B).

Corey Watkins was spectacular at the plate last season, leading the Patriots in home runs (9) and runs batted in (38), while hitting at a .392 clip. John Whit Snopek added another 25 RBI’s to go along with his team leading .411 batting average. Righty Drew Lambert also returns after leading the way on the mound with a 5-2 record and 3.78 ERA.

Coach Pavatte will also look for help from several others that include senior Ryan Carpenter (RHP - Meridian CC recruit), juniors Tyler Hester (Catcher), Wilkes Johnson (RHP), Reid Gandy (UT), and Garrett Gardner (MI), along with sophomores Gunnar Swanson (OF), Jack Poole (1B/LHP), Case Thomas (OF), and Fletcher Cox (RHP).