POPLARVILLE – The Poplarville pitchers held Brookhaven to justthree hits as the Rivercats handed the Brakemen a tough 5-2 lossWednesday night in Cotton State League action. Poplarville (6-0)pounded out 12 hits.

Brookhaven (2-3) travels to Hattiesburg for a 6:30 p.m. singlegame Friday. On Saturday, the Brakemen visit Clinton for adoubleheader starting at 3 p.m on Mississippi College’s FriersonField. They return home to Brookhaven Academy’s field Sunday toentertain Jackson for a 2:30 doubleheader.

Brookhaven went up 1-0 in the top of the third inning on a RBIsingle from Anthony McLinn. Poplarville answered back with two runsto take a 2-1 lead.

The Rivercats nscored one run in the bottom of the fourth, fifthand sixth inning to take a 5-1 lead. The Brakemen scored theirsecond and final run in the top of the seventh when JeffreyWaycaster hit a sacrifice fly to score Brandon Hubbard.

Hitting singles for the Brakemen were Ben Davis and Hubbard.

On the mound, first reliever Andy Harper earned the win with twohits allowed, three strikeouts and one walk in four innings.Starter Justin Harris worked the first two innings with one runallowed on one hit, five strikeouts, four walks and one hit batter.Chris Lucano finished out the seventh inning with one strikeout andone walk.

Seth Lofton, a graduate of Loyd Star and Co-Lin, started for theBrakemen and took the loss in four innings. Lofton (0-1) allowedthree runs on seven hits, struck out three batters, walked one andhit one batter. Michael Edwards finished the next two innings withtwo runs allowed on five hits and one strikeout.

For the Rivercats, Nathan Murray led with three singles. JustinLaxton belted a double and two singles. Brad Wood and Justin Byrdcollected two singles apiece.