Clinton-Mississippi College Night Boosts MBraves First 2013 Homestand

Mississippi Braves mascot and 2012 Miss MC Taylor Townsend

Mississippi College junior Edward Moak will be one of the faces in the crowd at Trustmark Park for the  Clinton-MC Night with the Mississippi Braves on April 8.

“I am so excited to see the MBraves,’’ says Moak, 21, the newly elected Student Government Association president from Brookhaven. “I hope you will join me there!’’

Moak should have plenty of company from Mississippi Choctaws, whether they are students, faculty, staff or alumni. Tickets for dugout and reserved seats at the ballpark in Pearl will be chopped 50 percent for members of the university’s family with a school ID, including a special coupon at the bottom of this page.

 Clintonians with a school ID or driver’s license will also be admitted at the same discount prices. Tickets for $8 reserved seats will be sliced to $4.

On Monday evening, Mississippi College commercials will be featured on the MBraves giant scoreboard. Courtney Parella of Grenada, the 2013 Miss MC, will sing the National Anthem right before the MBraves take the field at 7 p.m. to face  the Mobile BayBears. More than a dozen MC cheerleaders will be on hand to welcome visitors.

Others with connections to the university will have spots in the lineup. Mississippi College Army ROTC cadets Grant Whittington, Jonathan Maruszak, James Lamoreaux and Lauren Beuker will handle Color Guard duties. Staffers with STAR 93.5, the Christian university’s campus radio station, will do a live remote at the ballpark. Baptist Healthplex staffers and MC admissions recruiters Mark Davis and Caley Forbes will be stationed at tables along  the concourse.

Adding to the festivities,  Clinton Public School District children who will serve as honorary bat boys and bat girls and shout “Play Ball!’’ to get the game kicked off. Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn of Clinton is booked to toss the ceremonial first pitch. The game will provide an opportunity for fans to say thanks to outgoing Clinton Mayor Rosemary Aultman, who did a superb job serving the city in Hinds County for 20 years.

“Mississippi College has a terrific partnership with Clinton, and this evening with the MBraves is a great way to celebrate this winning combination,’’ said Andy Kanengiser, MC’s university news coordinator and one of the event’s organizers. “It’s always a thrill to see future members of the Atlanta Braves play at one of America’s premier minor league ballparks.’’

The Clinton Public School District partnered with Mississippi College in 2012 for the event in Pearl, and it figures to be better this time as the MBraves wrap up their first homestand of the 2013 season.

“It’s always a fun event,’’ said Sandi Beason, the district’s public information officer. “Our students and schools will be highlighted throughout the game.’’

Players to watch include Mississippi Braves catcher Christian Betancourt, the No. 3 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization. Outfielder Mycal Jones is well-known to MBraves fans. He was here in 2010 and spent the entire 2011 season with the team in Pearl. Manager Aaron Holbert returns for his second season in the Atlanta organization and as a Double-A skipper.

For more information, contact Andy Kanengiser at 601-925-7760, Sandi Beason at 601-924-7533 or the Mississippi Braves at 601-664-7600.

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