The Brookhaven Panthers stepped out of division play Thursdaynight; hosting the Wesson Cobras at Moyer Field. Ole Brook scored 8runs in the first 3 innings, to beat the Copiah County visitors10-2.

Both teams close out their regular seasons Monday at home onSenior night. Brookhaven hosts South Pike for single varsity gameat 6 p.m., while Wesson hosts Enterprise at Cobra Field. Bothballclubs begin action in the opening of the South State playoffsnext Thursday at site to be determined.

Brookhaven is ranked second in the latest Quality Home OxygenSouthwest MS Prep Super Seven Poll, while Wesson was fourth. ThePanthers dropped to No. 11 in a Jackson-based poll.

Brookhaven 10, Wesson 2

Wesson (15-7) drew first blood in the top of the first.Shortstop Micah Davis reached on a fielding error by Ole Brook.Corey Puckett’s single moved Davis to second. Mason Warren’sdoubled drove home Davis for a 1-0 Cobra.

Ole Brook (22-5) responded in their half of the first, taking a2-1 lead on a 2-run homer by designated hitter Garion Crockett. Hisblast over the leftfield fence scored Zach Watson, who led off theinning with a double.

The Panthers, coached by Randy Spring, plated a pair of runs inthe second and 4 in the third for an 8-1 advantage.

“They (Wesson) gave us some opportunities early on, and we wereable to take advantage of them,” said Spring. “Garion’s homerun gotus going early.”

Heading into the fourth, Wesson’s starting pitcher JonathanGrace began to find his groove; using a devastating curve ball tohis defensive advantage. Grace suffered the defeat, allowing 10runs (9 earned) on 12 hits. He walked 5 and fanned 3 Ole Brook in 6innings on the mound.

Even though he suffered the loss in the game, Spring said thatGrace did a good job on mound for the Cobras.

“Once he settled down, he did well for them,” added Spring.

Ole Brook added singles runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Wesson, coached by Hugh Knight, got a single run in the seventh.With no outs, Grace reached first and second on consecutive errorsby the Panthers. Chance Peets’ single moved Grace to third. With 2outs, Peets stole second. On the throwdown to second that nearlywent into centerfield, Grace scored.

“Give Brookhaven credit, they jumped on us early,” said Knightfollowing the game. “Brookhaven has a good ballclub.”

“Our kids are little down after Tuesday night’s loss to St.Andrews,” added Knight. He was referring to Wesson’s 6-4 defeat atthe hands of the Saints in Wesson, which would have clinched thedivision title for the Cobras. The Cobras will finish as therunner-up in Division 6-2A, by virtue of the tiebreaker with St.Andrews.

“We will have to learn to bounce back and become better,” saidKnight. “We will start the playoffs on the road next Thursday.”

Ole Brook was led by Watson with 3 singles and 3 RBIs. CodyRatcliff had 2 singles and 3 runs scored. Brandt Hinton singledtwice. Josh Coone singled, doubled and scored 3 runs. Mitch Pappasdoubled.

Paxton King authored the win for the Panthers in 4 innings,allow 1 unearned run on 2 hits, walking 1 and striking out 9.Hinton tossed the final 3 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 run with 5strikeouts.