The 3-time defending state champion Sumrall Bobcats edged theBrookhaven Panthers 6-3 Saturday afternoon in baseball action onMoyer Field.

“Sumrall has a very good team,” said Brookhaven coach Randy Spring.”They have a good group of kids that can hit, and talentedpitchers.

“Overall, I was very pleased with our effort,” continued Spring.”The guys fought hard to keep the game close and at the end we hada shot to win.”

The Panthers (12-11, 5-2) resume action Monday, hosting the McCombTigers for a district makeup game. Junior varsity begins at 5 p.m.,followed by the varsity game at 7 p.m.

The Bobcats (22-3, 10-0) are ranked No. 3 in the state and No. 1 inRegion 3A baseball action.

Sumrall 6, Brookhaven 3

The Bobcats quickly jumped on Brookhaven to claim a 6-0 leadthrough five innings. The Panthers bats came around in the sixthand seventh innings as they managed to punch in three runs.

Brandon Pennington was the winning pitcher for Sumrall with sixstrikeouts and four walks. Tyler Thompson pitched the final twoinnings for the Bobcats, collecting two strikeouts and twowalks.

Scottie Peavey suffered the setback for the Panthers with nostrikeouts, two walks and one hit batter in four innings of work.Relief pitcher J.D. Britt pitched the fifth, collecting twostrikeouts and one walk. Andrew Culver pitched the last two inningfor Brookhaven and recorded two strikeouts and no walks.

Peavey was the offensive leader for the Panthers with a triple anda single. Houston Case smashed a double. Hitting safely were GabeWilson, Drew Jones and Joel Patrick.

Dylan Anglin provided the offensive spark for the Bobcats with a3-run homer. Ethan Whitfield fueled the flames with a double andtwo singles. Bradley Smith and Austin Carter contributed twosingles apiece. Sumrall got singles from Connor Barron, TylerSimmons and Luke Lowery.

“This was a good game for us,” said Sumrall coach Larry Knight. “Weswung the bat well and our pitchers did a good job on themound.”

Knight’s team was ranked No. 1 in the nation last year.