Eleven NJCAA World Series Semifinalists Diamond Warriors members are moving on to the four-year level.
Luke Cooley is headed to La Tech, OF Trey Bridges is headed to Grambling University, Mo Little and Brady McGee are headed to Southeastern Louisana, Trey Smith and Marvin Jackson are headed to Belhaven, Kelby Jordan and Parker Martin are both headed to Mississippi College, Carson Ellis is headed to the University of Mobile, C Liam Gilbert is headed to Auburn University of Montgomery, and Rex Henderson is off to the University of Texas Rio Grande.
Sophomore Luke Cooley of Waynesboro, MS, was named a third-team NJCAA All-American. Cooley finished the season with 115 strikeouts, tied for second in NJCAA DII, and an 8-1 record. He also ranked in the top 15 in ERA with a 2.29. Cooley adds to his impression postseason award list as Pitcher of the Year (MACCC), first-team all-conference (MACCC), and All-Region 23. Cooley will also represented Team USA and NJCAA as one of twenty-four junior college baseball student-athletes in the Honkbal Tournament in Amsterdam, Holland.
Sophomore Mo Little became the first two-time All-American Diamond Warrior after another stellar season. Little of Brandon, MS, has been named a third-team NJCAA All-American. Little hit for .348, 74 RBI (tied 5th NJCAA DII), 20 SB, and 12 home runs. He was also named first-team All-MACCC and All-Region 23.
Brady McGee of Lake, MS, hit a .322 batting average with 9 HR, 46 RBI, and 27 stolen bases. McGee provided some memorable moments this season, including a walk-off home run to give Head Coach Neal Holliman his 500th win, returning from injury in the playoffs and hitting a double in his first at-bat vs. North East Mississippi Community College. McGee was a 2nd-team all-conference selection.
Trey Bridges of Jackson, MS, hit for a .291 average, 13 HRs, 61 RBIs, and 16 SBs in one season with the Warriors.
In his two-year career, Rex Henderson of Mandeville, LA, pitched for 65 total innings and 61 strikeouts for the Warriors.
Trey Smith of Madison, MS, hit for a .311 average, including 2 HRs in his career with the Warriors.
Marvin Jackson of Jackson, MS, was a blur on the basepaths and solid for the Warriors in his two-year career. Jackon leaves with 21 stolen bases and a .233 batting average.
Carson Ellis of Laurel, MS, was a trustworthy reliever in his career in Decatur. Ellis threw 31 innings and 32 strikeouts over his career.
Catcher Liam Gilbert of Meridian, MS, was steady behind the plate for the Warriors, posting a plus .980 fielding in both seasons of his career. Gilbert also hit a .318 career batting average and 48 hits in his two years at East Central.
Kelby Jordan of Taylorsville, MS, was a glue guy and team captain for Diamond Warriors. Jordan hit for a .260 batting average, 80 hits, 50 RBI, and 52 BB.
Parker Martin of Brandon, MS, pitched 53 career innings and 45 strikeouts for the Warriors. One of his memorable performances includes closing the final five innings against Brunswick, the 2024 NJCAA Runner-up, and giving up ZERO runs to help the Warriors survive elimination with a 5-3 semifinal win.