Brookhaven’s James McCall provided the extra-inning heroicsTuesday night at Moyer Field. His sharp single to left field drovein pinch runner Javaris Dickey with the winning run in the bottomof the eighth, giving the Panthers an exciting, 5-4 comeback winover the Lawrence County Cougars.

McCall’s connection highlighted a spirited rally by the Pantherswho had fallen behind Lawrence County 4-0 in the third inning. Thevictory raised Brookhaven’s record to 16-3 overall and 9-1 inDivision 6-4A, keeping the Panthers one game behind Terry in thedivision race.

Lawrence County (9-12, 4-6) absorbed another close setback in aseason of frustrating losses. In the bottom of the eighth, LawrenceCounty first-year head coach Chris Clark was ejected from the gameby home plate umpire Mike Duffey after disputing the strike zonearea. Brookhaven’s Fred Perkins had just drawn a base on ballsafter working Cougar pitcher Michael Edwards to a full-count.

“It was a great high school baseball game and I’m sorry it endedlike that,” said Clark. “Brookhaven has a good team and they tookadvantage of our mistakes. We have been very inconsistent. We needto learn to put teams away when we’re ahead.

“I hate it for Michael (Edwards),” Clark continued. “He threw agreat game.”

After the game a brief altercation broke out between twospectators as they exited the field. City of Brookhaven policeofficers were summoned to help maintain order.

The rivalry continues Friday when Brookhaven visits LawrenceCounty for a varsity doubleheader. The first game begins at4:30.

McCall had two of his team’s eight hits. He recalled thegame-winning RBI. “I was nervous but I just wanted to keep my eyeon the ball and drive it. It was an inside curve.”

Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, Brookhaven got a line-drive, 2-runhomer from junior designated hitter Kern Hoff. His first varsityhomer plated McCall and ignited a loud celebration by the homefans. Hoff also hit a hard liner to left field in the fifth whichgot past the outfielder and led to Brookhaven’s second run.

Brookhaven coach Randy Spring was delighted with the comebackwhich reminded him of an earlier game against McComb. “I hadvisions of McComb when we got behind 6-0.

“We had been swinging the bats well so I thought we could comeback if we took it one run at a time.”

Spring said Lawrence County was a difficult opponent whichplayed hard. “It’s a rivalry game and Lawrence County istough-minded. It was a must-win game for both of us.”

Winning pitcher Miguel Banks went the distance. Banks (4-2)struck out 4 batters, walked 5 and scattered 7 hits.

Banks said he was confident the Panthers would overcome the 4-0deficit. “I figured we could come back. We have four guys battingover .400. We have a good chance to make the playoffs and win stateif we keep our heads together and play as a team.”

The third inning was a bonus for Lawrence County and a disasterfor the Panthers. The Cougars cashed in 4 runs on 2 hits. With 2outs, Tyson Tanksley scored on a wild pitch. Edwards delivered aclutch, RBI single up the middle, scoring Zack Powell for a 2-0lead.

Lawrence County’s Dusty Ladd hit a dribbler back to the moundwhich Banks mishandled. He overthrew first base, allowing NathanEvans and Edwards to come charging home for a 4-0 advantage.

Brookhaven got 1 run in the fourth. Daniel Boyd sliced a singledown the right field line for the Panthers’ first hit of the game.With 2 out, Fred Perkins hit a high fly behind third base and itfell in for an RBI double, driving home Boyd.

In the fifth, the Panthers plated their second run. Daniel Boydhit a bad-hop single over the third base bag, scoring courtesyrunner Dreamus Herron who was running for Hoff.

Edwards absorbed the loss. He struck out 1 batter, the first ofthe game. He gave up 8 hits and walked 3.

Anthony Rogers and Edwards each had 2 hits for the Cougars.Boyd, Hoff and McCall had 2 hits for Brookhaven.