Owens homers; leads Senators to victory

Published 5:00 am Monday, June 10, 2002

Logan Owens made things happen just when the Brookhaven Brakemendidn’t need him to make his presence felt.

Owens, a Mississippi State product, became Brookhaven’snightmare early and often as he led off with a solo home run tostart the game. Owens went on to collect a single and a double asthe Senators registered a 4-2 victory Saturday afternoon onBrookhaven Academy’s field. The Senators gained a split withBrookhaven in the Cotton State League doubleheader as the Brakemenwon the opener 3-1.

“We ran into a good pitcher that dominated the game today,” saidBrakemen field manager Pete Young. “We played well today. You’vegot to have good pitching and defense in this league to win.”

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The game begin in a light shower that lasted for three inningsbefore order was restored. As soon as the rain stopped theBrakemen’s bats begin heating up with several strong hits. Senatorerrors helped the Brakemen score two pivotal runs.

“Errors helped us get our runners in position to score in thethird,” added Young. “After that we just got some key hits.”

Brookhaven scored their first run off a Josh Thoms single, thatallowed Brookhaven Academy product Ben Davis to race home. TheBrakemen’s second run came off a Cayce Wallace fielder’s choicethat allowed Simpson County native Brandon Hubbard home. TheBrakemen led 2-1 after three.

In the fourth the Senators struck back with a two-run inning oftheir own. Owens jump-started the scoring bonanza with a doublethat sent catcher Wayne Richie and third baseman Brett Byrd homefrom first and second.

The Senators would add an insurance run in the sixth off aBrookhaven error, before Jackson pitcher Marshall Watts finishedthem off in the seventh to secure the win.

“I didn’t like that we lost but I did see some encouragingsigns.” added Young. Lance (DeVille) came in the seventh andpitched good and our defense played real well. Overall we’ve got tocontinue improving and we’ll have success.”

Co-Lin sophomore Mitch Mangum suffered the loss for theBrakemen. Mangum pitched three and half innings and allowed threehits on three walks and one strikeout.

Watts gained the win for the Senators with five strikeouts andone walk. Watts allowed a total of four hits in seven innings ofwork.

At the plate, the Senators were by Owens with a homer, a double,and a single. Owens also gained two RBI’s. Shortstop Bert Watkinsbelted out a double.

For the Brakemen, shortstop Josh Thoms led with two singles.Wallace and Aaron Oberschmidt had a single apiece.

Today the Brakemen will host the Pearl Patriots at 2:30. FormerCo-Lin player and Lawrence County native Josh Garrett will startthe first game on the mound, while Brookhaven product MattFitzsimmons throws the second. Brookhaven product Eric Stokescoaches the Patriots.

JACKSON 4, BROOKHAVEN 2

Jackson 100 200 0 – 4 6 2

Brookhaven 002 000 0 – 2 4 1

Watts and Richie. Mangum, Paret (4) , Deville (7) andOberschmidt. WP: Watts (1-0). LP:Mangum (0-1). HR: Owens (J). 2B:Owens (J), Watkins (J). Multiple hits: Owens (J)3, Thoms (B) 2.