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Pearl Pirate bats explode for 12 runs to even MHSAA 6A second-round playoff series against D'Iberville

PEARL — The Pirates have forced a Game Three.

Behind the pitching of Andrew Arrant and a big second inning, the Pirates got past D’Iberville 12-3 in Game 2 of their MHSAA Class 6A Second Round Baseball playoff series at Pirate Park on Saturday.

The decisive Game Three is set for 7 p.m. Monday at D’Iberville.

“We had the big inning where we get the triple and a grand slam and that was the back-breaker,” said Pearl coach Brian Jones. “Played really good defense tonight. Now it’s a one-game series, and we’ve been here before.”

The Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Arrant had a RBI double down the first base line and came home score on a throwing error.

Pearl plated eight runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 10-0 lead, highlighted by a two-run triple by Arrant and a grand slam to left by Griffin Dennis.

“We came out swinging the bats and we were on a roll. All of our home runs we’ve hit this season have been in the playoffs,” Arrant said. “We’ve been here before it’s all about competing and not giving up and just play our game.”

Arrant (8-2) got the win on the mound. He tossed a complete game two-hitter, giving up three runs with 11 strikeouts.

“I felt good coming in throwing strikes and was getting a lot of weak contact,” Arrant said. “We got a lot of momentum right now going into Game 3 and just need to keep the bats rolling.”

Arrant, Dennis and John Mark Grissom all had two hits to lead Pearl (19-10) offensively.

“Game Three is a hitter's game, so we got momentum," Jones said. "We just need to carry it on the road. It’s playoff baseball. It is going to come down who throws strikes, executes on defense and gets timely hits.”

D’Iberville got a two-run home run by Tyler Gunter in the top of the fourth to cut the Pearl lead to 10-2.

Blake Gollott (4-3) took the loss for the Warriors.

“We made too many mistakes against a team like that and they hit the ball really well tonight,” said D’Iberville coach Cragin Gilbert. “It’s now winner-take-it-all, and we’re at home, so it’ll be interesting.”