MGCCC rallies late, loses in extra innings

BILOXI – Mississippi Gulf Coast's offense waited until what could have been its last time at the plate Friday night, rallied to force extra innings then fell to Jackson State Community College 5-3.

The Bulldogs split their season-opening doubleheader at MGM Park, the first of nine dates at the home of the Biloxi Shuckers. They nearly rallied for the second comeback win of the day in the bottom of the seventh.

Down 3-0 with the bases loaded, Justin Nussbaum fought through an eight-pitch at-bat to smash a double in the gap three.

"He was a lefty and the ball kind of ran away," said the sophomore who has signed with Delta State. "He was fastball-curveball the whole at-bat. I just wanted to let the ball travel and not be out in front of anything. He ended up leaving the fastball over the plate so I could get the barrel on it."

Nussbaum got thrown out at third trying to stretch it to a triple.

Jackson State got a leadoff double, two walks, a hit batsman and an infield single to score twice, then held on for the win.

Gulf Coast coach Rodney Batts said he was disappointed with his hitters' approach at the plate all day, but Nussbaum's big swing was a different matter.

"He fought off some really tough pitches down in the zone, some breaking balls," Batts said. "He finally got one that elevated. He drove it out there in the gap and tied the game."

Gulf Coast managed just five hits, and Mark Wood took the loss after allowing the double and first walk in the eighth.

Former Bulldogs star Matt Lawton threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game. He played on Gulf Coast's NJCAA World Series team, then went on to play 12 seasons in the big leagues and earn two All-Star selections.

Nussbaum was overflowing with superlatives after the first games at MGM Park.

"It was awesome," he said. "It's a great experience. It's really exciting. Just amazing."

The Bulldogs return to action Tuesday with a doubleheader at Baton Rouge. First pitch is at 3:30 p.m.