By Robert Wilson
Batting Photo by Lonnie Kees
Madison-Ridgeland Academy hasn’t won an MAIS state championship in baseball since 2016, but if Peyton Martin keeps playing like he did last week the Patriots might bring home the state title this season.
The senior outfielder hit .778 (7 of 9 at bats) with 2 doubles,1 home run, 9 runs batted in, 9 runs scored and 3 stolen bases to lead MRA to four victories last week in the Battle of the Beach Tournament on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
For his outstanding performances, Martin has been named the Priority One Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Baseball Player of the Week.
Martin led MRA to wins over MHSAA Class 6A d’Iberville 8-0 in five innings, MAIS Class 2A Marshall Academy 13-5 in five innings, St. George’s (Tenn.) 13-1 in three innings and MHSAA Class 3A Southeast Lauderdale 13-4 in four innings.
Martin, a Northwest Mississippi Community College signee, is hitting .426 with 5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 21 RBIs and 16 stolen bases for 17-1 MRA, which is ranked No. 1 in Mississippi by MaxPreps. MRA’s only loss is a 5-3 decision to MHSAA Class 4A and undefeated Sumrall.
“Peyton has thunder in his swing, is a plus runner and an outstanding defensive player,” MRA coach Allen Pavente said. “He is a great teammate and plays with energy every day. Peyton is a tireless worker who can play at the Division I level.”
Martin hit .351 with 9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 30 RBIs and 10 stolen bases and helped MRA to a 27-11 record and a MAIS Class 5A runner-up finish.
MRA’s next game is Friday against Covington (Tenn.) in the Flag City Classic in Memphis. MRA is playing three games this weekend. MRA plays Prep to open Class 6A conference play in a three-game series next week in a rematch of last year’s state championship series.
