Madison Central takes game one over Brandon

Madison Central used a massive second inning to propel themselves to a 11-7 victory over Brandon in game one of the MHSAA 7A State Championship Series on Thursday night. 

That huge second inning involved nine runs and ten hits, including nine of those hits coming consecutively. While the offense only scored two runs on four hits outside of the second inning, it proved to be enough for the Jaguars to hold on to victory in the end.

“That second inning was about as pretty of an offensive approach as I have seen in all my years of coaching,” Madison Central Head Coach Patrick Robey said. “You never expect it to go that well, but we prepared well and it paid off.”

Another major reason for the victory was the pitching performance of senior Gavin Parrow, who has been the ace on the mound for the Jaguars all season long and continued his dominant ways on Thursday night. 

“Gavin’s just a really tough competitor and I think the story for us was him having a good start,” Robey said. “He really settled in well tonight and he just rose to the occasion.”

Parrow threw 5 ⅔ innings, giving up two earned runs, five hits, and striking out four. Once Parrow left the game, things began to get shaky as Brandon made their comeback attempt, scoring five runs in the sixth and two in the seventh. 

Even with the adversity that the bullpen had faced, they held on in the end, securing a crucial game one win that will give Madison Central two shots at winning the title.

“You have to win two of them, it doesn’t matter when you get them, but the pressure is more on them,” Robey said. “It is always important, but I’m just proud of our guys.”

Madison Central and Brandon will play in game two on Friday night, with Madison Central having a chance to clinch their first state title since 2021. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM at Trustmark Park.