An errorless defense, solid pitching and scoring runs areprerequisites for winning baseball games. The defending Class 4Astate champion Brookhaven Panthers displayed all 3 characteristicsin an 8-3 Division 6-4A win over the South Pike Eagles Friday nighton Moyer Field.

Brookhaven 8, South Pike 3

The Panthers (3-6, 1-2) realized their initial division victory,backed by an errorless defense. Ole Brook got a solid pitchingperformance from senior right-hander Darius Perkins, who scattered7 hits and allowed 3 earned runs with 9 strikeouts and 2 walks.

“Darius pitched well tonight,” said Panther skipper RandySpring. “The team played tonight. It was a team effort without anyerrors.”

Spring’s ballclub used their half of the third, sending 10batters to the plate, to garner a 4-0 lead. Rightfielder Jacob Dunnhighlighted the inning with a 2-RBI single, scoring centerfielderBrandt Hinton and catcher Mitch Pappas.

The Eagles committed 2 crucial errors in the inning,

South Pike, coached by Jason Cooksey, got on the scoreboard inthe top of the fourth. First baseman Kelsey Island doubled. CatcherJamar Warren doubled to score Island and the Eagles trailed4-1.

Ole Brook responded with a 3-run fourth. Designated hitterGarion Crockett singled. Hinton and pinch-hitter Cole Newell eachdrew a walk. Dunn’s single scored Crockett and Hinton. LeftfielderPaxton King reached on an error that allowed Newell to score, asthe Panthers mustered a 7-1 advantage.

“We put the ball in play and got some on the board,” addedSpring.

The Panthers carried an 8-1 cushion into the top of the seventh.Hinton walked. Newell reached first, when a pitch from Eaglesouthpaw hurler Larry Lenoir hit him. Dunn doubled to scoreHinton.

South Pike scored twice in the top of the seventh. Warrendoubled and later scored on a RBI double by Jonathan Williams.Williams crossed home plate on a single by Desmond Redfield.

Dunn led Ole Brook, going 3-for-4 with 2 singles, a double and 5RBIs. Hinton scored 3 runs. Crockett singled twice.

Lenoir suffered the loss for South Pike. He allowed 8 runs (7earned) on 7 hits, issuing 7 walks and striking out 6 Ole Brookbatters.

Warren led the Eagles at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a single,a pair of doubles, a run scored and a RBI.

“South Pike has a good ballclub,” said Spring. “They played welltonight.”