Home runs by Bud Britt and Brice Huckaby directed the BrookhavenPanthers to a cold and windy 11-5 Monday night win over the hostWest Lincoln Bears. The Panthers used a 4-run third inning toovercome a 2-1 West Lincoln lead.

Both teams begin state baseball playoff action Friday on theroad. Brookhaven (23-6, 16-2), the Division 6-4A champion, travelsto South Jones. West Lincoln (13-8, 8-2), runner-up in Division8-1A, plays at either Pelahatchie or Mount Olive Friday.

BHS and West Lincoln will both be at home Saturday for thesecond game of the best-of-three series.

Leading 5-2 in the third, BHS got a homer from Huckaby in thefifth, to highlight a 3-run uprising. Britt homered in a 2-runsixth.

“We played a solid game and kept plugging away,” said BHS coachRandy Spring. “I am pleased with our effort.

“West Lincoln played an outstanding game,” Spring continued.”They will do well in the playoffs if they play like they didagainst us.”

On the mound, Zack Halliwell pitched the Panthers’ victory. Hestruck out 6 batters, walked 3 and gave up 7 hits.

Huckaby had 2 of Brook’s 10 hits. Cody Ratcliff doubled.

“We played a very good Brookhaven team,” said West Lincoln coachSteve Barrington. “I am proud of how we responded and competed.

“Now we’ve got to get ready for the playoffs which startFriday.”

Tyler Case started on the mound for West Lincoln and took theloss. In 2.1 innings, Case fanned 3 batters, walked 3 and hit 1batter. He walked 3 in the third.

Micah Bivens (O K, 1 BB) hit 1 batter in 2.2 innings of relief.James Magee (3 Ks, O BB) hit 1 batter in 2 innings of relief.

At the plate, the Bears were directed by shortstop Brett Rushingwho homered and singled., Magee doubled twice. Case, Zach Williamsand Matt Magee doubled.

Junior Varsity Action

In the JV game, West Lincoln clipped the Panthers 3-2 as JeremyBuckley and Micah Bivens doubled. Zack Bowman singled.

Matt Magee (6 Ks, 2 BBs) pitched the victory.

Chris Seals (2 Ks, 1 BB) absorbed the loss.

The Panthers got singles from Huckaby and J.D. Britt.,