Day 5 in Dixie: Hattiesburg, and the Mississippi Braves

We drove north out of Biloxi on Route 49, heading to Hattiesburg.  This is the home of Southern Mississippi University, and we were slated to have lunch with a friend of a friend, Kate Cochran.  Kate is a literature professor at the University, specializing in southern literature.  She took us to Letha's BBQ, a famous joint outside of town, where we had some really killer BBQ and great conversation.  Thank you Kate!  And Mandy, for introducing us.

One thing Kate told us was about the debate over Mississippi's flag, right after the South Carolina controversy and shootings.  Many wanted the confederate flag part of the Mississippi flag removed, but it failed in a referendum (partly because the alternative flag proposed looked terrible).  Some people, though, have voluntarily taken it down, including the president of Southern Mississippi U., who now just hangs three American flags in the place where the Mississippi flag used to go.

Kate also gave me a pep talk on Faulkner.  I'm going to get back to that.  Tomorrow.

After much debate, we decided to go to Jackson after that to catch our fourth baseball game in as many days!  This time it was the Mississippi Braves (farm club of Atlanta) playing the Jacksonville Suns in Trustmark Park (Pearl MS, just east of Jackson).

Great game!  The park was nice, the atmosphere good, and the Braves took care of business 6 - 2.  Their starting pitcher, Rob Whalen (Obi Wan), was solid when he threw strikes, striking out 8 through 6 innings.  Their closer, Madison Younginer (Older Obi Wan), was nasty too.  A lone but very bright ray of light for the Suns was Moises Sierra (Watto) who hit a homer and made a fantastic diving catch in center field.

Why do I have Star Wars characters listed above?  Because it was Science Fiction Night at the ballpark, and they gave all the players Star Wars characters.  There were real live Star Wars characters walking around, too.  Seriously, they were the real thing.  I even have pictures.

We headed to Vicksburg in the dark after the game, down more-or-less the same road that Grant used to take the town.  This is an amazing place.  More on that tomorrow!!!!

Harry and Maddy outside Letha's.  Unfortunately we didn't get a photo of Kate in here!

Southern Mississippi flag display, no longer flying the Mississippi flag (you can't see it, really.  Sorry, I couldn't get the wind to blow).

Fun and games before the game.

Walking into the game.  We had to keep movie because it was T-shirt giveaway too, and we wanted to get one!

See, I told you they were real!!!

Braves shortstop, Dansby Swanson (Han Solo) jacking a homer in the first inning.  Seriously, he hit a homer on this pitch when I happened to be taking a photo (see how close our seats were?)  He struck out two other times (should have taken more pictures).

Memorial Day fireworks.  Yay!