In 1965, the Bulldogs became South Division Champions but fell short of the state title, losing to East Mississippi. Boggs, however, was just getting started. The 1966 season would be a different story, with the Bulldogs avenging their previous loss by defeating East Mississippi to claim the state championship, largely thanks to Boggs’ brilliant pitching.
That season saw the South Division expand to four teams with the addition of East Central, and the Bulldogs quickly made their mark. In their first conference test, they traveled to Decatur to defeat East Central, setting the tone for a remarkable year.
Two of the most unforgettable games of the 1966 season took place on the William Carey College Field in Hattiesburg. In one game, Bobby Boggs achieved a feat that would be remembered for decades. Facing off against William Carey, Boggs pitched all 17 innings of a marathon 4 ½ hour game, leading the Bulldogs to a hard-fought 5-4 victory. Catcher Jeff Malpass was behind the plate for the entire game, and both men showed tremendous stamina and determination. As Coach Ken “Curly” Farris recalled, “Bobby didn’t weigh 135 pounds soaking wet, but he was a real competitor. When he had that knuckler working, he was tough to hit.”
The second unforgettable game came on Saturday, May 22, 1966, when the Bulldogs faced East Mississippi once again, this time for the state championship. With the memory of their previous year’s loss fresh in their minds, the Bulldogs were determined to come out on top. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Boggs laid down a crucial sacrifice bunt that led to the only run of the game, as David Drye advanced from second to home after a fielding error by East Mississippi.
Meanwhile, Boggs was masterful on the mound, giving up only three hits and securing a 1-0 shutout victory that was called due to rain in the eighth inning.
For his incredible performance in the championship game, Boggs was named the Most Valuable Player, a fitting tribute to a player whose talent and tenacity brought home MGCJC’s first state baseball championship under Coach Farris.
Bobby Boggs’ legacy at MGCJC is one of perseverance, skill, and leadership, and his contributions to the Bulldogs’ 1966 state title remain one of the most storied moments in the college’s athletic history.
