Mississippi
Braves Minor League Recap: Lucas Braun tosses 6.2 innings for Mississippi
Only 1 of Atlanta’s minor league teams came away with a win on Saturday in what was a disappointing night of baseball. However, there were still plenty of performances to single out, so let’s get into it.
(48-52) Gwinnett Stripers 10, (46-54) Durham Bulls 5
- Sandy Leon, C: 2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Yuli Gurriel, 1B: 3-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R
- Brian Anderson, 3B: 1-4, 2B, RBI, R
- Ian Anderson, SP: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Box Score
Gwinnett was the only team to come away with a win on Friday, beating Durham by 5 runs.
Starter Ian Anderson didn’t have his best performance as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. Across 4.1 innings, Anderson allowed 7 hits and 2 walks on 4 runs while striking out 4 batters.
However, the Stripers took the first lead of the game in the top of the 2nd inning, plating 4 runs. Yuli Gurriel led off with a single before Brian Anderson doubled him home to make it 1-0 Gwinnett. Then, Luis Liberato singled home Anderson to make it a 2-0 game before Sandy Leon homered — the first of 2 on the night for him — to extend the lead to 4-0.
After Durham scored 1 run in each of the 2nd and 3rd innings, the Stripers got one of those runs back in the top of the 4th inning as Leon would launch a solo homer to extend the lead to 5-2. The Bulls would score in the home half to make it 5-3 before a Yuli Gurriel solo home run extended the lead to 6-3 for the Stripers.
After the Bulls scored twice in the home half of the 6th to cut the Gwinnett lead down to 1 run, the Stripers would pull away in the next half-inning.
Andrew Velazquez led off the top of the 7th with a single and proceeded to steal 2nd base before a J.P. Martinez sacrifice bunt moved him to 3rd. Alejo Lopez singled home Velazquez to extend the lead to 7-5. After an Eli White single, Yuli Gurriel homered for the 2nd time of the night to make it a 10-5 lead for the Stripers which would hold as the win for Gwinnett.
(45-48) Mississippi Braves 1, (51-43) Montgomery Biscuits 4
- Cody Milligan, CF: 1-4, RBI
- KeShawn Ogans, 3B: 1-4, R
- Lucas Braun, SP: 6.2 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 4 K
Box Score
Despite Lucas Braun tossing 6.2 solid innings for Mississippi on Friday night, the Braves ultimately fell as their offense failed to string together anything substantive in the 4-1 loss.
Both squads started off the game scoreless across the first 2 innings before the Biscuits broke through. In the bottom of the 3rd, Montgomery scored one run off of Mississippi starter Lucas Braun to take a 1-0 lead. Thankfully, that was the only damage Braun allowed on the night as he scattered 4 hits across 6.2 innings while striking out 4. With his performance, Braun lowered his season ERA to 2.76.
The Braves managed to tie things up in the top half of the 4th inning. KeShawn Ogans ledoff with a single and after Tyler Tolve grounded out to move Ogans up to second, Cody Milligan singled into left field to plate the third baseman and knot the game at 1-1.
However, that would be the only offense the Braves could muster on the night despite tallying the same amount of hits — 6 —- as Montgomery did on the night. Meanwhile Montgomery would score thrice more in the bottom of the 8th inning to hold on to beat Mississippi by a 4-1 final.
(45-47) Rome Emperors 5, (44-50) Brooklyn Cyclones 12
- Adam Zebrowski, C: 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, R
- E.J. Exposito, SS: 1-4, RBI
- Drew Compton, 1B: 1-4, RBI, R
- Luis Vargas, SP: 1.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB
Box Score
Rome didn’t stand much chance on Friday as their pitching staff didn’t give the offense much breathing room at any point and Brooklyn took advantage of that in their win.
Emperors’ starter Luis Vargas lasted just 1.2 innings in this one, allowing 5 runs — 2 earned — in the bottom of the 2nd inning as the Cyclones took a 5-0 lead over the Emperors. Reliever Tyree Thompson didn’t fare much better for Rome. While the offense was stifled — being held scoreless over the first 6 innings in this one — Thompson allowed an additional 4 runs as the Cyclones extended their lead to 9-0 over Rome in the bottom of the 4th frame.
Brooklyn would breach double digits in the bottom of the 6th, scoring twice more to make it a commanding 11-0 lead over the Emperors.
In the top of the 7th, Rome finally got on the board. After Ethan Workinger and Sabin Ceballos laced back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, Drew Compton notched a single of his own to plate Workinger and make it an 11-1 deficit for the Emperors. Later in the inning, Adam Zebrowksi would triple into right field which would score Ceballos and Drew Compton to make it an 11-3 game.
Rome would score once again in the top of the 8th as Carlos Arroyo — who doubled earlier in the inning — would score on a wild pitch to make it 11-4. However, Brooklyn would get that run back in the home half to extend their lead to 12-4. The Emperors would put up a bit of a fight in their final at-bat in the top of the 9th as an E.J. Exposito single scored Zebrowski to make it 12-5. However, that would be all the offense Rome would get as they ultimately fell by that tally.
(36-54) Augusta GreenJackets , (40-52) Myrtle Beach Pelicans (POSTPONED)
Mother Nature made her presence known on Friday, as Augusta’s contest was rained out and postponed.
(12-22) DSL Braves 3, (18-18) DSL Royals Ventura 2
- Juan Espinal, CF: 1-3, RBI, R, BB
- Juan Mateo, SS: 1-4, R
- Edward Cedano, SP: 3.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 5 BB, 2 K
Box Score
The DSL Braves got the day started off on the right foot, beating the DSL Royals Ventura squad by a 3-2 final.
In the top of the first inning, the Royals jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Braves starter Edward Cedano allowed 1 run after he issued three walks and a double in the inning. Despite the atrocious start, Cedano settled down and retired the Royals without allowing any further damage.
That would prove to be a big moment as the Braves took the lead in the home half of the frame. After Juan Mateo singled to lead off, Gabriel Cesa and Michael Martinez went down on strikes in back-to-back at-bats. Following a wild pitch that allowed Mateo to advance to third, Juan Espinal singled him home. Then, after Espinal advanced to second on a Manuel Dos Passos walk, both runners executed a double steal and Espinal scored on a throwing error to make it 2-1.
The Braves would tack on to their lead in the bottom of the third inning. Martinez was hit by a pitch with two outs and Espinal drew a walk to put a runner in scoring position. After another double steal, Martinez was waved home on a balk to extend the lead to 3-1 in favor of the Braves.
Things remained quiet from that point forward, at least until the 8th inning where the Royals plated 1 run to cut their deficit to 3-2. However, Braves’ 17-year-old reliever Yander Pinero would settle down and retire the Royals in the 9th inning to seal the win and get the save.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – The Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program announced Saturday that contestants competing for the title in 2026 will be eligible for the organization’s largest scholarship offerings in its 77-year history.
Contestants will be eligible for more than $105,000 in scholarships and prizes, including $32,500 in direct cash scholarships.
The winner of the competition will receive a $10,000 cash scholarship, tuition scholarships, travel opportunities and a total prize package valued at $27,000. The first alternate will receive a cash scholarship of $6,000, the second will receive $3,500, the third will receive $2,500 and the fourth will receive $2,000.
During Saturday’s announcement, the Advisory Board of the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program also revealed that the winning cash scholarship will be named for Bonnie Warren.
Warren has spent decades supporting tourism, hospitality and economic development efforts across Mississippi. She also helped move the Miss Hospitality Program from Starkville to Hattiesburg in 1998 and has remained one of its strongest advocates.
The theme for this year’s Miss Hospitality will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
The competition will take place July 17-18 in Hattiesburg. Tickets will go on sale in two weeks.
The Miss Hospitality Program was founded in 1949.
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Taryne Mowatt-McKinney called Mississippi State softball’s first Women’s College World Series appearance back in the fall.
Coach Samantha Ricketts said the Bulldogs’ pitching coach walked into her office in October to deliver her bold prediction.
“She said, ‘If our pitching continues to progress the way it is, we’re going to the World Series,’” Ricketts said. “We may have looked at her like she may have been a little crazy.”
But Mowatt-McKinney wasn’t crazy, and the Bulldogs delivered, making it to the WCWS for the first time in program history.
That experience was short-lived as the Bulldogs (43-21) lost 4-0 to No. 2 seed Texas (48-12) in an elimination game at Devon Park on May 29, ending their season.
The Bulldogs went 0-2 in the WCWS and did not score a run.
“Could not be more proud of this group for what they’ve done for Mississippi State softball and for each other, the way they’ve represented this team, this program, our community,” Ricketts said. “… They believed that Mississippi State could be here on this stage when nobody else did.”
Ricketts noted the team never wavered in its belief even when things got difficult. Mississippi State went 9-15 in SEC play, finishing 10th in the conference. The Bulldogs only won two of their SEC series and fell out of hosting contention for regionals in late April.
As a road team, MSU made it out of the Eugene Regional to super regionals. The Bulldogs upset No. 3 seed Oklahoma on its home field to be the only unseeded team at this year’s WCWS.
“Really we talked all year long that our roster was built for May,” Ricketts said. “With how difficult our SEC schedule was, the lessons we learned along the way, we knew that postseason it’s 0-0 for anyone. If we could continue to trust in the work that we had done, we could really do something special here.”
The trip to the WCWS was especially meaningful for seniors Nadia Barbary, Morgan Bernardini and Kiarra Sells. All three began their careers in Starkville. They took the program from not even making the NCAA Tournament their freshman year to the WCWS in their final season.
“It meant the world to us,” Sells said. “Even getting here was such a big deal to all of us. Honestly, we’re grateful to have been on this stage, to have worked our butts off to be here, to be a Mississippi State Bulldog. It was such a blessing.”
The team’s accomplishments also resonated with players who started their careers at other schools. Pitcher Peja Goold, a transfer from Chattanooga, reflected positively on what she’d gained from this final year.
Goold finished with a 2.50 ERA, 182 strikeouts and eight shutouts. She was picked in the second round of the AUSL draft by the Oklahoma Sparks.
“I’m just so grateful that Mississippi State gave me the chance to be here and the opportunity to play on this stage,” she said. “… I chose Mississippi State, look where it brought me. That’s such a blessing and I’m so thankful that God placed me here and led me to them.”
During the team’s two WCWS games, not much went in the Bulldogs favor. They were shut out both times and run-ruled by Texas Tech in their first game. Still, the Bulldogs are walking out of Oklahoma City full of gratitude and pride for what they achieved in 2026.
“We did the unthinkable, making history throughout our whole season,” Bernardini said. “Yes, this sucks right now, but it’s like what a better way to end it at the end?”
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
High school choir sings gospel medley during graduation in Jackson MS
See video from Murrah Singers, Landon Price performance during Murrah High School graduation in Jackson, Mississippi.
High school graduation season has come to a close in Jackson, with Jackson Public Schools having finished their graduation ceremonies on May 27.
Madison County Schools held ceremonies May 15 and 16. Hinds County School District held its on May 19, and the Rankin County School District held ceremonies May 8 through May 18.
Following up on prom season, The Clarion Ledger photographed more than 25 ceremonies across the greater Jackson area, capturing both smiles and tears of joy, struts and dances across the stage, two new cars and many, many caps thrown in the air. Pyrotechnics, sunsets and excited family members brightened ceremonies and high school chorales lifted spirits.
Take a look at our gallery of highlights from every commencement, or peruse each ceremony, gathered below.
Hinds County
Callaway
Callaway High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 27.
Forest Hill High School
Forest Hill High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 27.
Jim Hill High School
Jim HIll High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 26.
Lanier High School
Lanier High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 27.
Murrah High School
Murrah High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 26.
Provine High School
Provine High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 26.
Raymond High School
Raymond High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 19.
Terry High School
Terry High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 19.
Madison County
Canton High School
Canton High School held graduation on its campus in Canton on May 23.
Germantown High School
Germantown High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 16.
Madison Central High School
Madison Central High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 16.
Ridgeland High School
Ridgeland High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 16.
Velma Jackson High School
Velma Jackson High School held graduation on its campus in Camden on May 15.
Rankin County
Brandon High School
Brandon High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 11.
Florence High School
Florence High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 8.
Northwest Rankin High School
Northwest Rankin High School held graduation at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on May 12.
Pelahatchie High School
Pelahatchie High School held graduation at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl on May 15.
Pisgah High School
Pisgah High School held graduation at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl on May 12.
Puckett High School
Puckett High School held graduation at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl on May 11.
Richland High School
Richland High School held graduation at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl on May 18.
Private Schools
Central Hinds Academy
Central Hinds Academy held graduation at Cain-Cochran Hall in Raymond on May 4.
Hartfield Academy
Hartfield Academy held graduation at Pinelake Church Reservoir Campus in Brandon on May 8.
Hillcrest Christian School
Hillcrest Christian School held graduation on its campus in Jackson on May 8.
Jackson Academy
Jackson Academy held graduation on its campus in Jackson on May 14.
Jackson Prep
Jackson Prep held graduation at First Baptist Jackson in Jackson on May 19.
Madison-Ridgeland Academy
Madison-Ridgeland Academy held graduation at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison on May 15.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School held graduation on its campus in Ridgeland on May 22.
Saint Joseph Catholic School
Saint Joseph Catholic School held graduation at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson on May 20.
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