In Tuesday night’s first round game against Adams CountyChristian School, it was Corey Dickerson who provided the fireworkswith a grand slam to break the game open en route to a 12-5Brookhaven win. On Thursday night, in Game Two, ACCS coach HunterMcKeivier was determined Dickerson would not hurt the Rebels again.Instead it was catcher Kolby Byrd’s grand slam, the man behindDickerson in the lineup.

Brookhaven whipped ACCS 12-2 in five innings, winning thebest-of-three series two games to none. Brookhaven advances to thesecond round of the MPSA South State playoffs and awaits the winnerof the series between Central Private and Prairie View.

Early on, it looked as though the Rebels were on track to avengethe Game One loss at Natchez and force a Game Three back inNatchez. Luke Brumfield led the game off with a triple to rightfield, and Britton McCall drilled a Tyler Parvin pitch over theleft field fence for a 2-0 Rebel lead before the Cougars could evenregister an out.

Parvin settled down and didn’t surrender another run, relying onhis teammates to put runs on the board.

Brookhaven got its first run of the game in the bottom of thethird, with Will Gatlin driving in Jonathan White on a sacrificefly. In the next inning, Parvin led off the inning with a double toleft center. Chandler Rogers singled to drive in the run, tyingthings up at 2-2. Seth Cliburn followed with a single and Whitereached base on bunt single to load the bases for Dickerson.

The Rebels elected to pitch around Dickerson, walking in a runto give the Cougars a 3-2 lead and bring Byrd to the plate. Byrdresponded with a towering grand slam to straight-away center fieldon a 2-2 pitch, giving the Cougars a 7-2 lead.

The Cougars added 5 runs in the bottom of the fifth on a two rundouble by Dickerson. The Rebels intentionally walked Byrd, but LukeBrumfield was called for a balk, allowing White to score from thirdfor a 10-2 Cougar lead. Will Gatlin followed with a single toright, scoring Dickerson from third, giving the Cougars an 11-2advantage.

Bubba Keene scored the final run on a passed ball to end thegame at 12-2.

“We didn’t catch the breaks.” said McKeivier. “I didn’t wantDickerson to hurt us again like he did in the first game so wepitched around him to get to Byrd and he ended up hitting a biggerbomb than Dickerson hit.”

“Brookhaven is the best hitting team we’ve seen.” addedMcKeivier. “They’ve got some very good hitters. Dickerson and Byrdare two of the best you’ll see. They’re a very good team.”

Tyler Parvin earned the win for Brookhaven, pitching fiveinnings and giving up two runs on seven hits. He struck out one anddidn’t issue any walks.

Luke Brumfield took the loss for the Rebels, surrendering 12runs on 12 hits and 4 walks. He struck out four.

Byrd led the Cougars at the plate, with a single and a home runwith four runs batted in. Dickerson was one for two with three runsdriven in. Will Gatlin drove in two runs. Tripp Jolly, Parvin andDickerson doubled.

“It was another great team effort.” said Brookhaven coachStephen Cooksey. “Everybody did their part and made good plays. Nowwe just have to get ready for the next series.”

Brookhaven improved to 19-3 on the season. ACCS ended its seasonwith a 12-12 mark.