GALLMAN – A late rally by the Copiah Academy Colonels was just enough to overtake the Brookhaven Academy Cougars and claim a 9-6 victory Monday night in Gallman.

The BA Cougars (5-3) built a 4-0 lead behind two-hit performances from Madison Smith, Jaden Clark and William King. Justin Burt and Taylor Freeny added a single each to the BA total.

Copiah was able to inch their way back into the game before scoring five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead for good.

The Cougars managed to score in the seventh inning behind a two-run homerun from Smith, but BA came up short in the end.

“We did a great job starting the game with fire and came out swinging, but then we lost focus in the latter innings. We have to learn to play from start to finish,” said BA head coach Tyler Parvin.

Taylor Freeny drew the starting assignment for BA and struck out nine Colonel batters in five innings of work. Madison Smith took the setback in short relief of Freeny.

The Cougars are scheduled to face Copiah (8-0) again on Thursday evening at Harold Williams Ballpark with JV action starting at 4:30 pm immediately followed by varsity play at 6:30.