Rain has plagued the southwestern portion of Mississippi for thepast several days, causing numerous rainouts in high schoolbaseball. On Tuesday evening, thanks to an infield tarpaulin and abreak from Mother Nature, ancient rivals McComb and Brookhavenplayed their Division 6-4A encounter on muddy Moyer Field.

The Panthers got off to a good start and held on for a 7-4 winover the Tigers. Ole Brook junior right-hander Brandt Hintonauthored the win, while McComb’s Justin Hay suffered the loss.

Brookhaven improves to 5-7 overall and 2-2 in the division,while McComb dropped to 6-10 and 3-3.

Brookhaven hosts Division 6-4A leader Lawrence County Friday fora JV/Varsity doubleheader, beginning at 4 p.m.

Brookhaven 7, McComb 4

Both ballclubs usually put on an outstanding performance on thebaseball diamond. The game started 30 minutes early. Both teamstook turns in the batting cage but there was no pregame infieldwarmup

The Panthers drew first blood in their half of the first frame.Centerfielder Darius Perkins singled and advanced to second on anerror by McComb. Jacob Dunn’s sacrifice bunt moved Perkins tothird. Perkins later scored on a wild pitch by Hay, as Ole Brookclaimed a 1-0 lead.

Brookhaven increased the advantage to 4-0 in the third, as Haynailed Panther batters Zach Watson, Paxton King and Elliot Warrento fill the bases. Perkins’ RBI single scored Newell and King.Watson also scored in the inning.

McComb, coached by Jerry Brewer, gained a 4-4 deadlock in thetop of the fourth. With 2 outs, designated hitter Stuart Abel andright fielder Dylan Boyd hit consecutive singles. Laney Sullivandoubled to scored Abel and Boyd. Catcher Cass Coon walked. MarkMathis singled to score Sullivan. Coon scored on a fielding errorby the Panthers.

Ole Brook bounced back in the sixth. With 2 outs, second basemanElliot Warren reached first as a pitch from Hay hit him. Perkinsalso took one from Hay. Dunn’s 2-RBI double scored both runners.Catcher Grant McDonnieal’s double scored Dunn.

The Panthers limited the Tigers to a single by Hay in the top ofthe seventh, to pick up the win.

“We played well, despite the wet conditions,” said Brookhavenhead coach Randy Spring. “We took advantage of the errors that theymade. Our defense is improving.”

Hay (2-2) went the distance (6 innings), allowing 7 runs (5earned) on 4 hits. He walked 2, struck out 6, had 1 wild pitch andhit 5 Panther batters. At the plate, Hay led the Tigers with a pairof singles.

Hinton threw 7 innings, allowing 5 hits and 4 runs (3 earned).He walked 3 and fanned 3 McComb batters.

Perkins singled twice and scored 2 runs to lead Brookhaven. Dunnand McDonnieal doubled.

“This was a good district win for us,” added Spring.

The Panthers were minus catcher Mitch Pappas who sustained afractured wrist in Saturday’s loss at Hattiesburg. McDonniealreplaced Pappas behind the plate.