George County baseball rallies again, wins first MHSAA title since 1997

PEARL — George County coach Brandon Davis has seen 14 come-from-behind wins past the sixth inning this season, and his team trailed in both games of the MHSAA Class 6A championship series against Warren Central in the fourth and fifth innings.

"I've already had one heart attack, and this bunch tries to give me one every day," Davis joked.

George County (31-4) rallied both times and on Friday night at Trustmark Park won 3-2 over Warren Central (18-13-1) for a sweep. George County won its second state baseball title and first since 1997.

Despite the pressure on the scoreboard in both games, Davis said there was never any doubt in the dugout.

"They work hard, stick with a plan and they don't get selfish," he said. "They don't get their feelings hurt. They just get after it."

After Canyon Reeves relieved Andrew Nielsen in the fourth inning, he looked to finish his consecutive game. Davis brought in the closer he's counted on all season long.

"You just come in and do what you do," said Reeves, who had three strikeouts and no earned runs in two games. "I mean, you're the only person who doubts you. Your biggest enemy is yourself. You got to tell yourself you can do it."

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Heading into the seventh inning tied 2-2, Reeves stepped into the batter's box for his third at-bat of the game. Without a hit in the series, Reeves said Davis took him aside and told him to stop swinging for the fences, so Reeves took his coach's advice.

"I just went from here straight to the ball," Reeves said while mimicking his shortened swing. "Got a little chopper up the middle got the job done."

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With two outs, Reeves hit a chopper up the middle that Warren Central's second basemen, Ryan Nelson, couldn't control, scoring Alex Wade to give George County the lead and eventually the 6A trophy.

"I don't underestimate Canyon and anything he does," Davis said. "... I told him to shorten it up (his swing) and put it in play and he did it."

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MHSAA baseball playoffs: George County win 6A title over Warren Central