POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Prior to Friday's regular season finale against No. 8 Northwest, the No. 5 Pearl River Wildcats will say farewell to their historic sophomore class during a ceremony at home plate of Dub Herring Park.

Over the last two seasons, the graduating Wildcats have compiled an overall record 70-22 and a league record of 40-14 — with games remaining. The Wildcats have also turned Dub Herring Park into a true home field advantage, building a 38-10 record. A year ago, the Wildcats won the program's third state championship. Friday, the team will be playing to secure home field in next week's MACJC playoffs. 

The Wildcats' play has not only garnered plenty of attention in Mississippi, but Pearl River has also spent 21 straight polls in the NJCAA Division II Top 20. The Wildcats were omitted from the 2018 preseason ranking but immediately jumped into the Top 20 at No. 12 and fluctuated between No. 19 and their final rank of No. 4. This season, PRCC hasn't spent one week outside the top 8. After opening the season at No. 8, PRCC climbed as high as No. 4 and enter Friday ranked No. 5.

The sophomore class' legacy will always be felt at Pearl River, but many of the Wildcats will play beyond their days in Poplarville as 11 have already secured their spots at four-year schools with several others still weighing their options.

"These young men have helped to return our program to national prominence," Pearl River coach Michael Avalon said. "They continue to set the standard and expectations for the Wildcats who follow."

Being honored Friday will be Miles Smith (Laurel; Northeast Jones), Deyton Lingle (Lake), Matt Taylor (Raleigh), Cameron Havard (Columbia; Columbia Academy), Shemar Page (Raleigh), Luke Harper (Meridian; Northeast Lauderdale), Reis Trager (Hurley; East Central), Noah Barron (Hoover, Ala.), Wiley Cleland (Columbia; Columbia Academy), Trenton Lee (Picayune), Jerod Meggs (Kosciusko), Colin Danley (Lucedale; East Central) and Magruder O'Bannon (Gulfport; St. Stanislaus).

MILES SMITH

Smith has been a workhorse for Pearl River during his two seasons at The River, compiling an overall record of 12-5 with a 3.18 ERA. A South Alabama signee, Smith was named the MACJC Pitcher of the Week earlier this season.

"Miles has been a true competitor on the mound for us," Avalon said. "We know each and every time he takes the mound he's going to give us a chance to win.

"His maturity and work ethic led to him being named a captain."

DEYTON LINGLE 

Lingle has filled a number of roles for Pearl River, playing in the outfield as well as pitching and pinch running. Lingle has hit .273 with a .431 career on-base percentage while also pitching 9 1/3 innings. On the bases, Lingle successfully stole seven bases in eight attempts. Lingle has signed with Spring Hill.

"Deyton has developed into a true definition of a teammate," Avalon said. "He has accepted each role asked of him while continuing to strive to be the best player and push his teammates."

MATT TAYLOR

Taylor has been a table setter for the PRCC offense and a threat on the bases. In 93 games, Taylor has hit .359 with a .444 OBP. He has hit seven homers — including six this season — with 67 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. Taylor has signed with Southeastern Louisiana.

"Through pure hardwork and guts Matt has made himself into a real good baseball player," Avalon said. "Matt is blue collar and tough as nails."

CAMERON HAVARD

Havard has been a crucial role player for the Wildcats despite being injured this season. He appeared in five games last season, striking out five in 3 2/3 innings. Used on the bases this season, Havard has scored twice while hitting a double and driving in two runs.

"Cam's contributions cannot be seen in the stat line due to injury, but his presence and leadership are evident every day," Avalon said. "He continues to find a way to be a positive impact on this team." 

SHEMAR PAGE

Page is a legitimate two-way threat for the Wildcats. The Louisiana Tech signee has not only helped to lead the staff but he has also provided reliable thump in the lineup. In two seasons, Page is 17-3 with a 2.86 ERA. He also boasts a .303 career average with six homers and 41 RBIs. This season, Page has been named the MACJC and NJCAA D-II Pitcher of the Week.

"In recruiting, the most important attributes are makeup and character and Shemar is the epitome of these — not to mention he is an extremely talented ball player," Avalon said. "He will continue to be successful in both life and baseball."

LUKE HARPER

Harper has been a leader for Pearl River across the diamond in his two seasons at The River. In 74 games, Harper boasts a .289 average with a .425 OBP. The North Alabama signee has tallied 13 extra-base hits and 32 RBIs.

"Luke has been asked to play several different positions for us and his toughness and commitment have contributed to his continued success," Avalon said.

REIS TRAGER

Trager has been an important player for Avalon during his two seasons at The River, hitting .368 with a .489 OBP. The Spring Hill signee has also turned eight double plays, including seven this season. 

"Reis is an incredible person and tremendous teammate," Avalon said. "He is a constant worker who has continually given all he has." 

NOAH BARRON

A New Orleans signee, Barron has supplied a dangerous bat in the middle of the Wildcats' lineup. Through 91 games, Barron is hitting .320 with 11 homers, 32 doubles, 75 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

"A physical force in the middle of our lineup for the past two years, Noah has been one of our most consistent hitters over that time," Avalon said. "Noah has been a relentless worker, and his commitment to this program is evident each day."

WILEY CLELAND

Cleland was moved to shortstop prior to the start of this season and has thrived there for the Wildcats. In his two years at The River, Cleland has hit .302 with 13 homers and 77 RBIs. This season the Louisiana-Monroe signee and past MACJC Player of the Week selection has broken out, hitting 10 homers with 45 RBIs and a .344 average.

"Being a two-year captain speaks for itself," Avalon said. "Wiley is a winner and will be successful in all endeavors in life.

"He is a tremendous leader on and off the field."

TRENTON LEE

Lee is the latest in a long line of brothers who have had success at PRCC. This season, Lee boasts a 2.02 ERA in 13 1/3 innings and is also hitting .273 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Lee, a West Alabama signee, also has a .345 career average.

"Trenton's heart and passion for Pearl River could never be questioned; it's in his blood," Avalon said. "He has no 'off switch.'" 

JEROD MEGGS

Meggs has flourished in his role as a shutdown reliever for the Wildcats — particularly this season. His 1.93 ERA as a sophomore improved his career ERA to 3.90. The South Alabama signee also has a 7.22 strikeout-per-9 with 50 in 62 1/3 innings.

"The biggest improvement he has made is maturing and becoming a more consistent player day in and day out," Avalon said. "Jerod is a very talented young man who will continue to improve as he goes."

COLIN DANLEY

Danley has emerged as a reliable starter for the Wildcats with seven of his 10 career wins have come this season. Danley also boasts a 4.59 career ERA and has struck out 84 in 80 1/3 innings.

"Colin has continued to progress since the first day on campus," Avalon said. "Last year, he was a major part of our bullpen and this year he has transitioned into a starter for us and has thrown well."

MAGRUDER O'BANNON

O'Bannon is a steading presence for the Wildcats behind the plate and has added some offensive thump to his arsenal this season. Heading into Friday, O'Bannon has a .259 career average, but has hit .361 with a .489 OBP this season. In two seasons, O'Bannon has two homers and 17 RBIs.

"There are never any worries on the field or off of it with Magruder," Avalon said. "He's a young man who desires excellence in everything and will be highly successful in life."

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