debut alert

Rhyne Hughes, the former Pearl River Community College slugger out of Picayune, went 2-for-5 with an RBI in his big league debut with Baltimore on Saturday. Hughes had a chance for a storybook finish but struck out against Mississippi State alum Jonathan Papelbon with the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the ninth inning. The woeful Orioles fell to 2-16 with the 7-6 loss. Maybe Hughes, a lefty-swinging first baseman with decent power, can help. Baltimore claimed Hughes on waivers from Tampa Bay during the off-season. He passed through Trustmark Park as a member of the Montgomery Biscuits and had some big moments there. … Jonathan Van Every, the former University Christian and Itawamba CC star, made his return to Boston in Saturday’s game. He was reacquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates, who signed him as a free agent in the off-season and sent him to Triple-A. Van Every told mlb.com that he was happy to be back with the BoSox, for whom he hit his only big league homer last April 30. Boston has two outfielders on the disabled list and Nettleton native Bill Hall is hitting .158, so Van Every likely will get his fair share of at-bats. He fanned as a pinch hitter on Saturday.
P.S. Delta State will honor the 50th anniversary of Boo Ferriss’ first season as its coach in Cleveland today. Ferriss, the former major league pitcher, won 639 games and made three Division II College World Series trips with the Statesmen from 1960-88. Current DSU coach Mike Kinnison played for Ferriss. The Statesmen split a twinbill with top-ranked Southern Arkansas on Saturday; they could use another W today. With the much-loved and respected Ferriss on hand at Boo Ferriss Field, expect them to play inspired.