McCOMB — Sophomore southpaw Paxton King tossed a 1-hitter on acold and windy Tuesday night, directing the Brookhaven Panthers toa 6-2 Division 6-4A win over the McComb Tigers. King struck out 12Tigers and walked 1 on Rotary Field At the plate, he went 3-for-4,including a double.

“Paxton pitched another excellent game,” said Ole Brook coachRandy Spring. “Pitching is definitely our strength this season.

“Our bats will eventually come around,” Spring continued. Hewatched his Panthers explode for 4 fifth-inning runs to sink theTigers.

Ole Brook (13-3, 8-2) resumes play Friday, hosting McComb for adoubleheader, starting at 4:30 on Moyer Field. McComb falls to 6-8and 3-4.

In the second inning, King led off with a single and moved tosecond on a throwing error. Cole Newell singled. A passed ballallowed King to score the game’s first run.

Brandt Hinton led off the fifth inning with a solo homer overthe left field fence, tying the score at 2-2.

The Panthers erupted for 3 runs with 2 out in the fifth. ElliotWarren was hit by a pitch. King and Garion Crockett singled. Newellsingled home Warren, giving the Ole Brook a 3-2 lead and loadingthe bases.

Josh Coone provided a 2-run double to score King and GarionCrockett for a 5-2 lead. Coone finished with 2 hits.

“That fifth inning was the difference,” said McComb coach ChuckFreeman. “Brookhaven got the hits and the runs they needed.”

In the sixth, Hinton reached on a throwing error by the catcherafter striking out. Marlon Dixon’s grounder advanced Hinton tothird base. Zach Watson’s sacrifice fly to center field scoredHinton with the sixth run.

The Tigers only got one hit, a fourth-inning single by DontrellSargent. McComb got 2 runs in the fourth. Cornelius Stewart drew aleadoff walk. Sargent singled. Dylan Boyd provided a sacrifice flyto right field. Matt Howell’s sacrifice fly scored Sargent.

Boyd absorbed the loss. In 7 innings, Boyd gave up 6 runs, fourearned, 8 hits, plus 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.

Freeman said his team played well. “We need a complete game inall phases. I was proud of the effort.”

JV Results

The Panthers beat McComb 6-4 in the junior varsity game.