LAUREL — The Brookhaven 13-year-old all-stars defeatedCleveland 8-1 Saturday in the opening round of the Dixie BoysBaseball League State Tournament. They were powered by strongpitching and hitting. Three Brookhaven pitchers accounted for 12strikeouts.

Brookhaven plays Petal today at 4 p.m. in the second round ofthe double-elimination tournament. Petal edged Magee 5-4 Saturdayin the bottom of the seventh inning.

Gib Britt pitched the victory. He started on the mound and gaveup 1 hit in 3 innings. He fanned 6 batters and walked none.

Travis Sorrels relieved Britt and went 1.1 innings. He fanned 1batter, walked 2 and allowed 1 hit.

Gage Wilson took over on the mound, going 2.2 innings. He struckout 5 batters, walked 1 and allowed 1 hit.

“I split up the pitchers because of the heat,” said Brookhavenmanager Dale Lowery. “It was a scorcher.

“All three of my pitchers pitched real well,” said Lowery. “Theyworked out of a couple of jams.

Brookhaven finished with 11 hits off three Cleveland pitchers.Second baseman Tyler Lumley led the victory with 3 singles and 3RBIs. Shortstop Kyle Cross singled and doubled. First baseman GrantBurke doubled. Britt singled twice. Catcher Matt Smith, thirdbaseman Brandon Allen and centerfielder Calvin Robinsonsingled.

“Our kids hit the ball real well,” said Lowery. “They did a goodjob. We made the plays when we had to.”

Cleveland accounted for just 3 hits.

14s at Taylorsville

The Brookhaven 14-year-olds are in the state tournament atTaylorsville and were rained out Saturday. Their game with MossPoint has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. today.

Win or lose, both teams will play Monday.