CLINTON, La. — The Silliman Institute Wildcats ambushedBrookhaven Academy 11-8 Wednesday night, gaining a deadlock in thebest-of-three state playoff series. Wildcat third baseman JamieRogers hit a 3-run homer in the sixth to secure the victory andsnap BA’s 12-game winning streak.

The series continues tonight on BA’s field. Game time is6:30.

“With the exception of some fielding errors, we played wellenough to win,” said Brookhaven Academy coach Stephen Cooksey. “Ourteam never quit.”

Starting pitcher Corey Dickerson got off to a rocky startagainst Silliman and was lifted in the second inning. Dickerson wastagged for 5 hits and 8 runs. He fanned 1 batter and walked 3 asthe Wildcats roared to an 8-2 lead.

Jonathan White replaced Dickerson in the second. White struckout 2 batters, walked 4, allowed 4 hits and 3 runs.

“Jonathan White came in and pitched when we were five runs downand threw a great game,” Cooksey noted. “He relieved in the secondand went to the seventh. I can’t say enough about the effort hegave.”

Cooksey’s Cougars reduced their deficit to 8-7 in the fifth.Dickerson homered and singled.

Centerfielder T-Boy Lynch had 3 hits for the Cougars, includinga double. Leftfielder Keith Franklin tripled and singled. Thirdbaseman Jeremy James singled and doubled. Catcher Kolby Byrd andDickerson each had 2 hits.

Winning pitcher Cameron Gentry gave up 8 runs on 12 hits as theWildcats rebounded from Monday’s 12-2 setback. He struck out 5batters and walked 5. Gentry also hit 4 batters, including 3 versusZach Watson.

Jordan Walker had 3 hits for the Wildcats.