East Central two-way star TJ Dunsford has been named the MHSAA’s 5A Mr. Baseball. The award, announced Thursday, goes to the top baseball player in each classification.

The senior is slashing .405/.557/.630 this season with 34 hits and 24 RBIs. Dunsford has hit four home runs this season and has picked up 113 hits in 98 career games.

Dunsford has also had a strong season on the mound, putting together a 1.57 ERA over 62.1 innings with 97 strikeouts to just 17 walks. His 5.7 K/BB ratio is a career-best.

“It feels incredible, on top of everything going absolutely amazing with our team right now,” Dunsford told the Sun Herald. “I’m glad East Central baseball is getting under the radar like it is. I’ve got to give the biggest thanks to my parents and three coaches, without them I’m almost positive this would never have been accomplished.”

The Hornets are fighting for a spot in the South State finals in a series it leads 1-0 against Picayune. East Central is the defending champions and aiming for a return to the state final.

In game one against the Maroon Tide on Tuesday, Dunsford pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts and launched a solo home run in the 8-1 win.

Dunsford is also a 2022 All-South Mississippi Football Team select as a linebacker.