Panthers claw La. teams
Published 6:00 am Tuesday, March 7, 2006
McCOMB — On a sunny day in Pike County, Coach Randy Springwatched his Brookhaven Panthers win twice Saturday over Louisianateams in the Miss-Lou Classic. The Ole Brook Panthers edged Sumner5-4 and whipped Springfield 11-4.
The Panthers (5-2) will host Mendenhall Tuesday for a Division6-4A test. Junior varsity action starts at 5 p.m., followed by thevarsity at 7.
Brookhaven 5, Sumner, La. 4
Cole Newell went the distance for the Panthers and dominatedSumner. Newell (1-0), a junior right-hander, gave up 4 hits and 1earned run, striking out 14 Cowboys and walking none. He hit 3batters.
“Cole had a good day,” said Spring. “He struck out 14 battersand got three hits.”
In the bottom of the seventh, the Panthers got a leadoff walkfrom T.J. Qualls who was pinch hitting. Zach Watson followed with asingle. Elliott Warren laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance bothrunners. Crockett drew an intentional walk to load the bases.
Paxton King’s single plated 1 run. Newell followed with an RBIsingle. Josh Coone smashed a hard single off the pitcher’s gloveand reached first as pinch-runner R.J. Jenkins scored from thirdbase.
“Our players did a good job,” said Spring.
Brookhaven 11, Springfield 4
Junior right-hander Zach Watson pitched the victory. In 5innings, Watson struck out 5 batters and walked none. He gave up 4runs, only 1 earned.
The Panthers got off to a strong start as Crockett smashed a2-run homer in first inning. He later doubled and finished with 4RBI.
Watson and Mitch Pappas doubled. Elliott Warren had an RBIsingle. Newell also singled.
Kids Clinic Monday
Spring said the rain-delayed Kids Clinic will be held Monday onMoyer Field. It starts at 4 p.m. and lasts until 6.