Brookhaven Academy took Game One in the South State AAbest-of-three baseball playoff series Monday night against visitingSilliman, La. with a 12-2 whipping of the Wildcats on Cougar Field.Cougar pitching was the dominating difference in the opening roundseries against Copiah Academy, and Monday’s game proved to be nodifferent.

Pitcher Zach Watson gave up 2 runs on 2 hits in five innings asthe Cougars won their 12th straight game. He walked two batters andstruck out one.

“They (Silliman) played well, but those (six) errors hurt them.”said Watson. “We were able to hit the ball well and we made somegood plays defensively. It’s a good win.”

Ben Moody took the loss for the Wildcats, giving up 12 runs on14 hits. He struck out four and walked three.

Brookhaven, coached by Stephen Cooksey, looked to have its handsfull as the Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the secondinning. Silliman’s Jordan Walker doubled and Adam Elam singled toscore the first run of the game.

The Brookhaven bats came to life in the bottom half of theinning as the Cougars exploded for 7 runs. Will Gatlin and KolbyByrd singled to lead things off for Brookhaven. Jeremy James thenreached on a throwing error, allowing Gatlin to score fromthird.

The Cougars again got back-to-back singles from Blaine Robertsand Seth Cliburn, pushing the Cougar lead to 4-1. T-Boy Lynchreached on an error and Keith Franklin singled before CoreyDickerson launched a three-run shot over the left-center fieldwall, giving the Cougars a 7-1 advantage.

Brookhaven added another run in the fourth after Watson reachedon an error and Gatlin doubled to score the runner.

The Cougars plated four more runs in the bottom of the fifth toenforce the 10-run mercy rule. Lynch, Franklin, and Dickerson allsingled to load the bases and Watson was hit by a pitch to scorethe first run of the inning. Back-to-back singles from James andRoberts ended the game.

Dickerson led Brookhaven at the plate, going 3-for-4 with twosingles and a home run. He had 4 RBIs. Franklin and Roberts eachwent 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Gatlin was 2-for-4 with adouble. The Cougars got RBIs from James, Watson, Roberts, Gatlin,and Cliburn.

Brookhaven (15-9) travels to Silliman Wednesday night atClinton, La., for Game Two of the series. Game time is set for6:30. If necessary, Game Three will be in Brookhaven Thursdaynight.