The Brookhaven Brakemen were cannonized Tuesday night.Poplarville pitcher Neil Cannon came within three outs of hurling aperfect game but he settled for a 1-hitter and a 5-0 shutout of theBrakemen in Cotton State League action.

Cannon, a rising Pearl River Community College sophomore fromPetal, was supported by a strong defense which made severalspectacular catches. He struck out 3 batters and didn’t issue abase on balls. The wiry right-hander allowed a leadoff double byBrookhaven’s Josh Thoms in the bottom of the seventh inning butretired the next 3 batters to end the game.

“My two-seam fastball and breaking ball were working welltonight,” said Cannon. “I was just trying to locate it.”

Cannon said he was aware of the perfect game potential. “It wasin the back of my mind. My defense made some great plays.”

The Rivercats, leading the CSL with an 8-3 record, includemainly Pearl River Community College players. Pearl River won theNJCAA Regional and District playoffs this past season, advancing tothe Division II World Series in Millington, Tenn.

Cannon, a 6-foot-1, 165-pound pitcher, was converted fromcatcher to pitcher by PRCC head coach Jay Artigues when he arrivedon campus. He was 3-1 his freshman year.

Poplarville field manager Jamie McMahon serves as an assistantcoach at PRCC. He was proud of Cannon’s performance.

“Our pitcher was outstanding,” said McMahon. “He just goes outthere and throws strikes.”

Brookhaven (3-8) was unable to solve Cannon. The Brakemen madesolid contact several times but the potential hits were gathered inby Rivercat defenders.

“You have to tip your hat to (Cannon),” said Brookhaven managerPete Young. “We hit it hard but right at people. Cannon did anexcellent job.”

Young has been juggling his lineup in an effort to come up withthe winning combination. The Brakemen have lost 3 straight games.They host the Hub City Wheels of Hattiesburg tonight for a 6:30game on Brookhaven Academy’s diamond.

“We must continue to work hard,” said Young. “Our youngerplayers are still learning what it takes to get better.”

Michael Edwards started on the mound for Brookhaven and went thedistance. He gave up 5 runs on 9 hits, struck out 5 and walked1.

Aided by an outfield error, the Rivercats scored twice in thefirst inning after 2 batters had been retired. Riyne Hughes reachedsecond on a ground-rule double when the ball sliced near the leftfield line and bounced over the fence. Designated hitter Neil Favrefollowed with an RBI double over the third base bag and JustinGross delivered a bloop single to center, making it 2-0.

In the second, catcher Justin Laxson slapped a line drive doubleto the left-center field fence. Brad Wood delivered a 2-out RBIdouble to the right-center field wall, making it 4-0. Hughes hit anRBI single to right and it was 5-0.

After the second, Edwards cooled off the ‘Cats and only alloweda pair of sixth-inning singles.

Cannon and Laxson. Edwards and Oberschmidt. WP: Cannon (3-0).LP: Edwards. 2B: Hughes (P) 2, Wood (P), Thoms (B). Multiple hits:Hughes (P) 2, Byrd (P) 2.