VANCLEAVE – Game Two of the opening round of the Class 4A Southstate playoffs, between Brookhaven and Vancleave, resumed Fridayevening . The Bulldogs used the familiar surroundings to hammer out10 hits en route to a convincing 10-4 triumph over the visitingPanthers.

Vancleave sweeps Brookhaven 2-0. The Bulldogs advance to thesecond round, where they will meet the Picayune Maroon Tide.Picayune swept Quitman 2-0.

Brookhaven concludes an outstanding season at 22-10 and theDivision 6-4A title.

Vancleave 10, Brookhaven 4

The Bulldogs (27-3) were looking to sweep this series. Afterretiring the Panthers 1-2-3 in the top half of the first, Vancleavewent to work to author the early 1-0 lead. With 2 outs, pitcherCasey Summerlin doubled and stole third. Jake Mizelle singled toscore Summerlin.

Bulldog head coach Hayden Cox watched as his ballclub added 6runs to the scoreboard in the third and fourth innings. Mizelle’sRBI double in the fifth scored 2 runs. Mizzelle finished the nightgoing 3-for-4 with a single, a double and a triple.

“We hit the ball tonight,” said Cox. “We have had differenthitters step each night for us.”

The Panthers cut their deficit to 7-2 in the fifth. Scotty Smithand Josh Townsend delivered consecutive singles. Corey Smith’ssacrifice to first plated Scotty Smith. Two batters later, JoshAnderson’s double scored Townsend.

Brookhaven added a run in their half of the sixth. Catcher AdamOgden singled. Two batters later, Corey Smith reached on a throwingerror that allowed Ogden to score.

Vancleave scored 3 times in the bottom of the sixth.Highlighting the inning was Casey Summerlin’s triple which scoredGabe Gattis and Ty Summerlin. Mizelle singled to score CaseySummerlin.

“Vancleave hit the ball very well tonight,” said Panther headcoach Randy Spring. “I am extremely proud of our kids for theoutstanding year that we have had.”

Casey Summerlin picked up the win for Vancleave. He tossed 6.2innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 4 hits. He walked 6 and struckout 10 Brookhaven batters. Jimmy Tapp came on in relief to get thefinal out.

Scotty Smith suffered the loss for the Panthers. He threw 5.1innings and allowed 10 runs on 9 hits, issuing 4 walks and fanning2 Bulldogs.

Collecting singles for Brookhaven were Scotty Smith, Townsendand Ogden. Anderson doubled.

“Brookhaven has a good team and they are well coached,” addedCox, referring to Spring; along with assistants Jaymie Palmer,Jeremy Albritton and Dewayne Oberschmidt.