Todd Russell—1988-89 Wildcat Baseball

   Todd Russell was an outstanding third baseman at Petal High School, on a team that reached the finals of the Class 4A playoffs on two occasions, when he was offered a scholarship to play for PRCC.  It was during practice that Russell was moved from third to pitcher, a position he had never played, either in high school or in the summer leagues.

   The 1988 Wildcats posted a 25-12 record and advanced to the state playoffs for the first time since 1939.  The 1989 Wildcats were 28-16 and finished second to Hinds in the state.  PRCC also advanced to the Region 23 tournament both years

   Russell posted a 6-2 ledger as a freshman and a 6-3 mark as a sophomore.  He struck out 99 batters in 111 innings and pitched the first and only no-hitter over the Gulf Coast Bulldogs at Perkinston

   In the spring of 1989, Todd signed a scholarship to play for the Ole Miss Rebels, but during an amateur draft for the Oakland Athletics, Russell signed with the A's and spent the next three years playing minor league ball in Arizona, Oregon, and Wisconsin.  He was named Oakland's most improved pitcher in the instructional league in 1989, but a 1991 injury to his pitching arm and shoulder cut short his professional career.

   Russell returned to the Petal area and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1992 with a degree in accounting.  He is married to the former Nikki Causey.