Zach Halliwell put the Brookhaven Panthers on cruise Saturdayand they romped to a 10-0 shutout against the North Pike Jaguars onMoyer Field. Halliwell, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound sophomore, limitedNorth Pike to 3 hits, striking out 2 batters and walking 2.

The Panthers resume play Tuesday at Lawrence County, meeting theCougars in a crucial Division 6-4A showdown. The junior varsitygame starts at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity at 7.

Lawrence County will continue the series Friday, visiting MoyerField for a varsity doubleheader. The first game starts at 5.

“We got a big effort from Zach Hallliwell today,” said BHS headcoach Randy Spring. “He’s our No. 5 pitcher in the rotation and heneeded some work. He gave us some good innings.”

Offensively, the Panthers (7-4, 5-1) got a booming, 3-run homerfrom Cody Ratcliff in the first inning. It came off North Pikestarter Arin Rimes.

“We played really well,” said Spring. “Cody gave us a big boostwith that home run.”

Spring watched his Panthers play flawless defense on a cold,damp day. They plated 5 more runs in the fourth and 2 more in thefifth, evoking the 10-run rule.

The Panthers finished with 10 hits. Ratcliff, Halliwell andChris Dixon had 2 hits apiece.

BHS Sweeps Forest Hill

In a Thursday night division doubleheader at Forest Hill, thePanthers dominated the Rebels, winning13-3 and 12-5.

In the opener, Brandon Foster got the win in relief. He fanned 4batters, walked 1 and allowed 1 earned run on 2 hits.

At the plate, Ratcliff’s home run helped the Panthers erase anearly 1-run deficit. Bud Britt collected 4 hits. Nick Helmstetter ,Ratcliff and Foster each had 2 hits.

In the nightcap, Helmstetter hurled 4 innings and got the win.He fanned 10 batters, walked 4 and allowed 6 hits, giving up 3earned runs.

Foster got the save. In 2 innings, he fanned 5 batters, walkednone and held the Rebels hitless.

Offensively, 2 doubles by Helmstetter directed the attack.Jarvis Wilbert, Brice Huckaby and Britt doubled. Huckaby finishedwith 3 hits. .