In a battle of first-place teams in Division 6-4A, rivalsBrookhaven and McComb met Tuesday night on Moyer Field. Both teamssported 5-0 division records. with the winner taking solepossession of first place.

Despite committing a season-high 9 errors, the homestandingPanthers narrowly escaped with a 7-6 win over the McComb Tigers.McComb had 4 miscues of their own as the Tigers drop a game behindOle Brook in the standings.

Brookhaven travels to McComb April 16 for a rematch.

McComb defeated Brookhaven 3-2 in the preliminary JV game.

Brookhaven travels to Terry Friday for a Division 6-4A test,with the JV game set to begin at 5 p.m. Varsity action starts at 7p.m. McComb hosts Brandon Friday at Rotary Field.

The Panthers (9-2, 6-0) did not get off to a good start,committing 3 errors in the top of the first. Ole Brook wasfortunate to keep the green-clad Tigers off the scoreboard.

“We just did not play well defensively,” said Ole Brook headcoach Randy Spring. “Defensively, we have got to get better.”

Ole Brook opened the scoring in the bottom of the second,garnering a 5-0 lead. Scotty Smith and Josh Patrick both reached onfielding errors by McComb. Cody Dunaway reached on a fielder’schoice. W.T. King’s single scored Smith. Two batters later, seniorXavier Qualls doubled to score Patrick and Dunaway. King wouldlater score on the Tigers’ third error of the inning. Catcher AdamOgden singled to score Qualls.

“Offensively, we played well,” said Spring.

McComb (9-8, 5-1) got on the scoreboard in the top half of thethird. Leadoff hitter Jarrod Dyson tripled. Two batters later, EliFowler’s groundout to first allowed Dyson to cross home plate.

The Tigers, coached by Chuck Freeman, notched a pair of runs inthe fifth. Shortstop Garry Hart reached on an error. Two batterslater, Dyson reached on an error. Catcher Michael Lewis singled toscore Hart. Dyson scored on the Panthers’ third miscue of theinning but still trailed 5-3.

“Neither team played well defensively,” said Freeman. “Wheneveryou see Brookhaven and McComb play baseball, you usually see a gooddefensive game.”

Ole Brook answered in the bottom of the fifth with a pair ofruns, extending the advantage to 7-3. Qualls singled. Ogden reachedon an error. Hall singled to load the bases. Two batters later,Smith aided his cause with a 2-RBI double that plated Qualls andOgden.

Smith went the distance (7 innings) to pick up his third win ofthe season, against 2 losses. He allowed 6 runs (3 earned) on 10hits, with a walk and 9 fanned Tiger batters.

“Scotty gave us a good outing tonight,” added Spring. “This wasa big win for us.”

Freeman’s squad would not give up and rallied for 3 runs in theseventh. Dyson singled. Lewis walked. Rightfielder Eli Fowlerreached on an error that allowed Dyson to score from second.Barnes’ groundout to second scored Lewis. With 2 outs, firstbaseman Brandon Erwin’s single scored Fowler. Designated hitterJustin Hay singled, moving Erwin to third.

Smith got the Tigers’ third basemen Matthew Hay to line out tosecond to end the game, igniting a jubilant celebration in thePanther dugout.

Qualls paced the Ole Brook offensive with a pair of singles, adouble, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Hall singled twice.

Barnes suffered the loss for McComb. He tossed 5-plus innings,allowing 10 hits and 7 runs (3 earned), with 6 strikeouts and awalk.

Matthew Hay pitched the sixth and struck out 3 Panther batters.Dyson led the Tigers with a single, a triple and 3 runs scored.