Ben Patterson, who led Pontotoc’s baseball team to two state championships, died Thursday at age 71.

Patterson coached at Pontotoc for 24 years, including as head coach from 1981-98. The Warriors won back-to-back state championships in 1985-86.

He’s one of the state’s all-time winningest coaches with a career record of 474-161. Patterson led Pontotoc to 12 division titles and six North half crowns.

Patterson is survived by his wife, Gail, and his four sons – Brandon, Adam, Scotty and Tyler.