Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
Trace, has been named Hattiesburg American player of the year. Trace attends Sumrall high school where he will be a senior this year. Trace is the son of Jim and Sarah Jordan.
Trace Jordan and his teammates could see it happening yet again.
In the two previous seasons, Sumrall had brought its gaudy reputation and victorious history into the Class 3A State Championship series only to get swept by Kossuth.
Now, against Belmont in this season’s 3A finals, the Bobcats had played poorly in the opening game and had lost 5-2. Facing another embarrassing defeat, the Bobcat players did some soul-searching.
“We had a good practice the next day,” said junior Trace Jordan. “That night we had a team meeting for players only, and we talked about how we wanted it for our seniors. And that sparked us.”
More to the point, Jordan took the Bobcats on his ample shoulders and led the way.
After going hitless in three at-bats in the opening game, Jordan capped a brilliant season by going 6-of-7 with five RBIs in the final two games to carry Sumrall to its fifth state title.
For his performance, not only in the state finals, but over the course of the season, Jordan has been named as the Hattiesburg American All-Area Player of the Year.
“He was headed in that direction last year,” said Sumrall head coach Larry Knight.
“He had a great year last year as a sophomore, and each year he’s gotten a little better, a little more mature.”
Indeed, Jordan was no slouch in 2014, hitting .436 , with five home runs, 15 doubles and 29 RBIs.
But he topped those numbers in every respect this season. He batted .448, smacked seven homers, hit 19 doubles and drove in 56 runs, second-best in the state behind Oxford’s Gene Wood, who had 71 RBIs.
Adding in the 24 times he was walked, he had an on-base percentage of .531 and a slugging percentage of .793.
“What really made the difference was he changed from a guy who looked to go the other way to one who was looking to drive the ball with more power,” said Knight.
“Based on what we had at the top of the order, it seemed like the logical thing to move Trace to the 3-hole. You want the guy who swings the bat the best in that position, and that was Trace.”
In fact, a big key for Sumrall throughout the season – and especially in the critical two games in the championship series – was having table-setters for Jordan.
Leadoff batter Joseph McLaurin and 2-hole hitter Drake Nightengale were able to get on base and get into scoring position for the middle of the Bobcat batting order.
“They did a good job of getting on, not only for me, but for Alex (Knight) and Landon (White),” said Jordan, referring to the two batters who typically came behind him.
“If it wasn’t me driving in runs, it was somebody else. I just tried to stay calm and not try to get too overanxious in those situations.”
Winning a championship this season was a big load off the backs of the Bobcat players, who have often felt the weight of the program’s history, which not only included four consecutive championships, but also a state-record 67-game winning streak that included an undefeated season.
“Coach Knight always brings it up going into the season, and tells us to look past it,” said Jordan. “Going into the last series we knew it was our time, and that we could never be compared to those teams.
“The seniors always want to leave their mark and look up at a state championship banner and see one from their senior year up there. I’m glad I could help them achieve that.”
Sumrall loses a big part of its championship team, but it returns plenty of talent that Jordan thinks can challenge for a title in Class 4A, where the Bobcats will play next season.
“We’re pretty excited about it,” Jordan said. “We know it’s going to be more challenging, but we’re ready for it.”
Knight said Jordan will be an even bigger part of Sumrall’s success next season.
“There’s a question about where he’ll play,” said Knight. “He’s a decent outfielder, but he may not have the speed to play outfield at the next level, and he’s a good first baseman, even though he isn’t real tall.
“And he’s going to pitch for us some next year. He’s got a good arm. He’s been clocked from the outfield at around 88 (mph), and while it’s two different things, he projects to about an 84-85 mile an hour guy on the mound.”
So far, Jordan has been a well-kept secret among college and pro scouts, but that will probably change over the course of the summer and into next season.
Jordan said he’s heard from several junior college programs in the area and that Southern Miss has been to see him play.
“I don’t worry too much about that,” Jordan said. “Whatever happens will
(information from the Hattiesburg American)
Trace and his sister, Taylor, who is his greatest fan!! at the 3A state championship game at Trustmark Park.
