Ally Melton

[Lane Kiffin @Lane_Kiffin]

Nothing to worry about

[Northeast Baseball @NEMCCBASEBALL]

Please keep Coach Joel Gafford, his former players, and family in your thoughts and prayers. This man touched a lot of lives. Rest in peace. ❤️🙏

[Mississippi Sports @SocialSportsMs]

I’ve covered a lot of coaches over the years. It’s extremely rare that a coach stays in one place for more than a decade nowadays. It’s even more rare that those long time coaches have the universal respect and love from all of their former players.

Joel Gafford was one of those coaches.

He became synonymous with Ripley baseball.

He demanded the best from his guys but one thing was clear…those were HIS guys.

A prime example of that: the media swarmed Ty Long after his masterful pitching performances at the state championship final game, a tough loss for the Tigers. Gafford came up to Ty, put his arm around him, and was right there with him the whole time.

Me and Gafford would text and talk occasionally, about sports mostly. Over a decade+ of covering him, we became friendly. He thanked me for covering his Tigers, never wanted any credit for anything, and always said the program was bigger than him.

Thanks for all the baseball banquet invites and signing day heads up over the years Coach. I’ll miss the “eat breakfast. Go Tigers” Tweets and I’ll miss you.

[Michael Chavez @MikeSChavez]

An emotional Ty Long speaks after Ripley’s (@ripleybaseball) 2-0 loss to Sumrall in the MHSAA Class 4A state title game.

Long, a Southern Miss signee (@Ty_Long2) had no earned runs, 27 K’s and only allowed four hits in two games on the mound in the series:

[Ally Melton @allymelton4]

@mhmiller 2A finished before 4A, so that would leave 2A filling the fourth game spot for Friday, and still leaving Ripley for Saturday. Totally get it about saving money, but it’s just not how it fell. Misshsaa set them for Saturday, so they’ll be played Saturday 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Tippah Sports @TippahSports]

I can speak for the Ripley contingent when I say they are happy to drive back to Tippah County, refill the local tap water cooler, and head back Saturday to watch Ty Long pitch on a beautiful Saturday in Pearl.

[James Murphy @jsmurphymedia]

FINAL: Ripley 13, South Pontotoc 2.

For the first time since 1992 and the second time ever, the Ripley Tigers are North half champions. #djorels

[⚾RHS Baseball⚾ @ripleybaseball]

North Half Schedule

Game 1 at Ripley Fri 6:00

Game 2 at South Pontotoc Sat 6:00

Game 3 at Ripley Mon 6:00 (if necessary)

[Dillon Barnes @DillonBarnesDJ]

Tigers are going to North Half for the first time since 2017. They’ll get the winner of South Pontotoc/West Lauderdale. #djpreps

[We Run the Sip @OMRebelNation]

Kiffin

[Dillon Barnes @DillonBarnesDJ]

⚾️ FINAL/3: Ripley 16, New Albany 1. #djpreps

Tigers (8-5) defeat New Albany for the 16th consecutive meeting, dating back to 2015.

They score 12 in the B3 to walk it off.

[Cj b @Cbarney01]

Stayin in the sip🦈 @coachkitchens42 #AG2G✝️ #HottyToddy 💙❤️

[Ally Melton @allymelton4]

@BunkiePerkins @bradlocke A Penn State fan told me it was nice to see a woman in a dress… I was extremely concerned.

[Oxford Police Department @OxfordPolice]

🦈

[Hayden Donahue @HaydenDonahue9]

I am blessed to announce l am continuing my academic and baseball career at University of Memphis! I want to thank God for the opportunities and blessings he has given me along with my family, coaches, and teammates for helping me along the way! @NEMCCBASEBALL @MemphisBaseball

[Southern Miss Baseball @SouthernMissBSB]

𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗘𝗗

Welcome home, Ty!

🧢: INF
📏: 6'0"
📍: Ripley, Miss.
🎓: Ripley HS

@Ty_Long2 | #EverythingMatters | #SMTTT