Jacob Blakeney was on cruise control Saturday afternoon.Blakeney struck out 11 batters and allowed just 3 hits in pitchingthe Brookhaven Brakemen to a 3-1 triumph over the Jackson Senatorsin the sweat-soaked Cotton State League opener.

Blakeney, a senior at Mississippi State University this fall,walked 2 batters and hit 1 batter, former Co-Lin teammate HunterOgden who is serving as player/coach for the Senators.

“It was about 110 degrees out there but it felt real good,” saidBlakeney. “My slider was working. It had a good downwardbreak.”

Blakeney, a right-hander, had the opportunity to pitch inseveral summer leagues up North but he preferred being reunitedwith Co-Lin pitching coach Pete Young who is managing the Brakementhis summer. “I had some trouble with my pitching mechanics butCoach Young helped me out. I worked on them today.”

Young was happy to see his young squad win their season opener.”We got the ball in play and we didn’t strike out. If we can getsome runners on base early, score some runs and put pressure on thedefense, we’ll be okay.

“Pitching is our strength,” Young continued. “Blakeney was onthe top of his game. He kind of overpowered them at the plate.”

The Senators collected 3 singles. They scored an unearned run inthe second after loading the bases on an error and a pair ofwalks.

Brookhaven scored twice in the bottom of the first inning.Shortstop Josh Thoms slapped a single up the middle for the firsthit of the season. First baseman Seth Lofton followed with a singleto right, scoring Thoms on a slide at home plate. Lofton stolesecond base, went to third on a wild pitch by Ryan Neely and scoredon a head-first slide off another wild pitch.

Thoms, a sophomore at Mississippi State this fall, finished with2 hits. He smashed a long double to the right-center field fence inthe third inning. It was the only extra base hit of the game.

In the second inning, third baseman Brandon Hubbard scored theBrakemen’s third run. He walked, stole second and scored on anerror by the second baseman, making it 3-1.

Brookhaven second baseman Cayce Wallace said he was happy to beplaying for the Brakemen. “I love it. There is nothing I wouldrather be doing. Our team is real solid.”

Wallace collected a single in the third inning.

Jackson got singles from Burt Watkins, Brett Byrd and Ogden.

Neely, a senior at Mississippi Valley State University thisfall, once played for Co-Lin. He gave up 4 hits, struck out 2 andwalked 2.

Twinbill Today

The Brakemen will play a doubleheader today at BrookhavenAcademy’s field, hosting the Pearl Patriots. The first game startsat 2:30. Pearl is managed by Belhaven assistant coach Eric Stokes,a Brookhaven native.

BROOKHAVEN 3, JACKSON 1

Jackson 010 000 0 – 1 3 2

Brookhaven 210 000 x – 3 4 2

Neely and Narrow. Blakeney and Oberschmidt: WP:Blakeney (1-0). LP: Neely (0-1).2B: Thoms (B). Multiple hits:Thoms (B) 2.