just stuff

Might be time to see if Konnor Griffin is ready for another challenge. The former Jackson Prep standout, in his first pro season, is batting .324 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs and 17 stolen bases for Bradenton, Pittsburgh’s Low-Class A affiliate. His 45 hits lead the Florida State League. The 19-year-old shortstop is riding a nine-game hit streak during which he is batting .525 with two homers, nine RBIs and six bags. Griffin was the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft after winning the national Gatorade Player of the Year Award. … Kudos to Southern Miss pitcher J.B. Middleton, who won the Ferriss Trophy, the fifth USM player to claim the honor as the state’s top college player. Middleton, a Benton Academy product and a prime MLB draft prospect, is 9-1 with a 2.07 ERA for a nationally ranked Golden Eagles team. Nick Sandlin and Tanner Hall, former Ferriss winners from USM, are currently playing pro ball. … Belhaven will play Denison in an NCAA Division III super regional starting on Friday at Granville, Ohio. Denison is ranked No. 2 in the nation. Belhaven is 34-13 following its 7-4 win Sunday over Milwaukee School of Engineering in the Webster (Mo.) Regional. … Mississippi College bowed out Sunday in the NCAA D-II Tournament, losing for the second time to No. 1-ranked Tampa 9-8. The Choctaws (35-23), who beat Tampa in an earlier regional meeting, let an 8-1 lead get away. … Former Mississippi State star J.T. Ginn (1-1, 4.61) has been activated from the injured list and will start tonight for the A’s against the Los Angeles Angels. MSU product Chris Stratton, a 10-year MLB vet having a rough season (7.94 ERA), has been designated for assignment by Kansas City. The former SEC pitcher of the year was a first-round draft pick in 2012.