Sophomore pitcher Scott Votaw and the Lawrence County Cougarsstrengthened their grip on the Division 6-4A top rung Tuesdaynight, whipping the error-plagued Brookhaven Panthers 5-1 on MoyerField. Votaw, a lanky right-hander, struck out 14 batters andscattered 5 hits in the decisive victory.

Lawrence County (11-3, 7-0) hopes to remain unbeaten in thedivision race when the Cougars host Ole Brook Friday for a twinbillat Jimmie Davis Park, starting at 5 p.m. BHS (9-4, 5-2) needs asplit to maintain second place status in the division race.

“We still have to win one Friday,” LCHS head coach Cory Keyespointed out. “Scott gave us a good effort and he’s done that allyear. I’m proud he’s on our team.”

Votaw (5-1) has had his fastball clocked from 82-87 miles perhour. He labeled his performance OK.

“I wasn’t locating very well at the start of the game,” said theblue-eyed Votaw. “I couldn’t find my change (up). My fastball wasworking best for me tonight.”

Votaw walked 4 batters and allowed only one extra base hit, athird-inning double down the left field line by Jarvis Wilbert whoscored Brook’s only run.

“I have a good defense behind me and we’ve got three of the bestcoaches around,” responded Votaw, when asked about his team.

The Panthers, paced by senior pitcher Nick Helmstetter, gained a1-1 deadlock in the third. Bud Britt’s RBI single past theshortstop scored Wilbert.

In a tight contest, Brook’s wheels came off in the fifth inningwhen 3 infield throwing errors helped the Cougars plate 2 runs.Lane Stephens drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored thego-ahead run. Catcher Nick Peavey overthrew first base on a pickoffattempt and Stephens went to second. Ford Johnson laid down a buntto the right of the mound that was fielded by first baseman ZachHalliwell who checked the runner at second, spun and overthrewfirst base, allowing Johnson to score.

Cougar shortstop Willie Buckley slapped a high-chopper to thirdbase which pushed home Stephens for a 3-1 lead.

The Cougars, encouraged by a large following of fans, added 2more unearned runs in the top of the seventh. Johnson lined asingle up the middle and stole second base. Votaw reached on athrowing error by third baseman Isaac Jones and it was 4-1. Anotherthrowing error sent the fifth run home.

“We made three errors in the fifth and made two more in theseventh,” said BHS boss Randy Spring. “We pitched too good to giveup five runs. Nick pitched very well. He has had two toughlosses.”

Helmstetter, a senior right-hander pitching his first completegame of the season, allowed 6 hits and 1 earned run. He struck out9 batters and walked 2.

Buckley, who went 2-for-4, scored his team’s first run on an RBIsingle to left by Conner Oakes. The Cougars stole 4 bases in thegame, 2 in the first frame.