Brookhaven Academy’s defense was too much for Ben’s Ford Tuesday, as the Cougars dug in for a 4-0 victory on their home field.

The Eagles were able to hold the bats of the Cougars at bay throughout the night, allowing seven hits to the power-hitting Cougars. Amid show-stopping outfield play by Ben’s Ford centerfielder (T. Keating), several well-hit fly balls were chased down and caught with runners in scoring position, dampening any Cougar rallies.

Yet the Cougars managed to scratch one run in each of the first, second, fourth and sixth innings to compile the 4-0 win.

A first-inning leadoff bunt single by Brady Spring and an errant throw into the right field corner advanced Spring to third, and O’Neill Burgos plated him on a first-pitch single to left. Nick Ogden led off the bottom of the second with a solo blast over the left center wall, pushing the Cougars to a 2-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Taylor Freeny was hit by a pitch and scored on a two-out single by Levi Smith, and the final run was scored on a wild pitch after a leadoff walk by Ogden.

Ogden led the Cougars on the night with a home run and a single. Tucker Watts doubled while Spring, Burgos, Dawson Zumbro and Smith all singled.

The Eagles’ bats were kept stagnant all night by a complete-game shutout by starting pitcher Dawson Flowers, who allowed five hits with 11 strike outs, no walks and one hit batter.

The Cougars will resume district play next Tuesday as they host the Prentiss Christian Saints. Junior varsity begins at 4:30 p.m. and varsity starts at 6:30 p.m.

Story by Becky Flowers, BA softball coach