A six-run explosion in the sixth inning carried Brookhaven Academy Cougars to an 11-0 victory over the Amite School Center Rebels at Harold Williams Ballpark Friday night.

After battling through three scoreless innings, the Cougars plated one run in the fourth and three runs in the fifth before closing it out in the bottom of the sixth.

“A win is a win but we’ve got to pull the trigger earlier,” said BA head coach Casey Edwards. “We have to take better approaches at the plate and can’t wait until the late innings to do so. Our goal is to compete for a State Championship and we have to get better every night out.”

Landon Nettles picked up three RBIs for the Cougars with two doubles in his evening of work and senior Steven Williams shut the door on the Rebels with a walk-off double to the left-center gap in the sixth. JP Jackson and Zach Dickerson each had two hits for the Cougars. Alex Smith and Parker Myrick also hit safely adding to the BA total. Drew Caston had two hits to lead ASC.

Newt Riley picked up the win for the Cougars striking out 11, giving up just 5 hits and issuing no bases on balls. “Our pitchers are doing a great job for us and Newt did again tonight. They’re putting up zero’s and that gives any run we pick up a chance to win but we have to take some weight off their shoulders and get them some offense early,” commented Edwards. Aaron McKay absorbed the loss for the Rebels while striking out six.

In junior varsity action,  The Cougars picked up an 8-1 victory over the Rebels behind a double and homerun from freshman Madison Smith. William King also had two hits including a double. John Coleman, Fisher Warren, Lamar Lang, Jaden Clark, Austin Smith and Taylor Freeny each hit safely adding to the BA 11-hit attack.

Freeny went the distance on the mound for the Cougars striking out eight to pick up the win. Kellan Martin took the loss for ASC.

BA is on the road Monday for a non-conference match-up with Simpson Academy and will be back home for Senior Night on Tuesday verses the Prentiss Christian Saints. JV first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.