Mix six strong seniors with some talented underclassmen and theBrookhaven Panthers appear to brewing an outstanding baseballcampaign. Coach Randy Spring’s Panthers make their 2007 diamonddebut Friday on Moyer Field, hosting the Wesson Cobras. Game timehas been changed to 4:30 for the varsity game.

“We have some good experienced players but we have someexceptional young players, too,” said Spring. “Our seniors have won71 games in three years. They know what it takes to besuccessful.”

Spring’s team won the Class 4A state championship in 2004, afirst for the Ole Brook Panthers

Spring, 37, is entering his eighth year at the helm of Pantherbaseball fortunes. They finished 23-7 last season, placing third inthe division race.

Starters lost to graduation include pitcher Brandt Hinton,designated hitter Garrion Crockett, centerfielder Marlon Dixon andutility player T.J. Qualls. Hinton, The DAILY LEADER’s All-LincolnCounty Player of the Year, signed a scholarship with Copiah-LincolnCommunity College.

Brook has a talented group of six seniors, plus some solid underclassmen in the lineup.

Senior Mitch Pappas (.364) is at catcher, junior Cody Ratcliffat first base, sophomore Bud Britt and senior R.J. Jenkins (.375)at second base, senior Cole Newell (.476) at third base, seniorElliott Warren (.373) at shortstop, and senior Taylor Newman isworking at first base and DH.

Senior Josh Coone (.370) and junior Paxton King (.384) areveterans in the outfield. Both are pitchers.

On the mound, King (3-2), Coone (5-3) and Newell (5-0) pitchedextensively last year. Sophomores Nick Helmstetter and Bud Britt,and freshman Brandon Foster will get a chance to work some gamesthis year. King is the only southpaw on staff.

“We have six good seniors who have been around a lot,” saidSpring. “We had a good team last season. A lot of them have workedhard in the offseason.

Asked about the division race, Spring said, “Lawrence County andTerry are the top two contenders. Florence has seven starters backand they played everybody close last year.”

Lawrence County went 16-2 in the division race and finished ontop the division in 2006. Terry and Brookhaven tied for second at14-4.

“I think McComb will be improved, too,” said Spring. “Mendenhallis competitive.”

A highlight of this year’s schedule is a spring break (March15-17) journey to Waco, Texas, where the Panthers will play 4tournament games. Opposing teams are W.T. White, Faith Christian,Midway and Labbock Coronado.

“We are looking forward to the Waco trip,” said Spring. “Ourplayers and the Diamond Club have been working hard to finance thetrip.”

Serving as assistant coaches on Spring’s staff are DwayneOberschmidt, Dustin Lott and Eric Stokes.