MAGNOLIA — South Pike head coach Jason Cooksey has said allalong that his ballclub would eventually come around, and win someclose games this season. On Tuesday night, his Eagles used theirlong distance calling card twice to defeat the defending Class 4Astate champion Panthers 3-2 in Division 6-4A baseball.

With the win, South Pike improves to 6-10 overall and 3-5 in thedivision. Ole Brook evens their worksheet at 10-10 and 5-4, astheir 5-game winning streak came to an end.

Ole Brook defeated South Pike 8-3 March 11, at Brookhaven.

Brookhaven host Wingfield at Moyer Field Friday, while SouthPike travels to Jackson’s Battlefield Park to meet Jim Hill Friday.Both Division 6-4A matchups will be varsity doubleheaders,beginning at 5 p.m.

South Pike 3, Brookhaven 2

“This is one of the biggest wins, since I have been here,” saidCooksey. “Our kids are improving daily. We beat a very goodballclub today.”

Brookhaven opened the scoring in the top of the first on a solohomer from senior centerfielder Darius Perkins. The Panthers led1-0.

The Eagles tied the game at 1-1 on a solo blast by secondbaseman Corey Gerber, who led the Eagles with a 3-of-3 performanceat the plate; including 2 singles.

Ole Brook reclaimed the lead at 2-1 in the third. RightfielderJacob Dunn singled and stole second. Two batters later, designatedhitter Garion Crockett singled to score Dunn.

South Pike junior pitcher Kelsey Island aided his cause at theplate in the third. With 1 out, Gerber singled. Two batters later,Island launched a blast over the rightfield fence; for what provedto be the game winner.

Island and Panther pitcher Brandt Hinton battled to the end, aseach did a masterful job in shutting down the opposition after thethird.

“Kelsey pitched a great game tonight,” added Cooksey. “He andLarry Lenoir are our two aces.”

Island (4-6) went the distance (7 innings), allowing 2 earnedruns on 6 hits. He walked 2 and fanned 7 Panther batters.

South Pike got a single from Jonathan Hodges.

Hinton (4-3) suffered the loss in 6 innings, allowed 3 earnedruns on 5 hits, with 8 strikeouts.

Perkins led Ole Brook with a single and a homer. Dunn, Crockett,Grant McDonnieal and Paxton King each singled.

“Take nothing away from South Pike, they have a very goodballclub,” said Ole Brook head coach Randy Spring. “They made somekeys plays tonight. Coach Cooksey is doing a good job with histeam.”