JACKSON – The Brookhaven Academy Cougars defeated the Starkville Academy Volunteers 3-2 Wednesday afternoon in Game One of the Ridgeland High School Titan Classic behind the pitching of senior Newt Riley at historic Smith Wills Stadium.

In a late game, the Cougars lost a heart breaker 3-1 to Jackson Prep.

BA 3, Starkville 2 

“We played a little tight until the latter innings and when we loosened up a bit, we made some things happen,” said BA head Coach Casey Edwards. “Newt (Riley) pitched a fantastic ballgame for us and we got a few key hits when we had to have them.”

Senior Landon Nettles led BA with another 2 hit outing to his credit. Jacob Boyd, JP Jackson and Zach Dickerson also hit safely for the Cougars.

Riley went the distance for BA striking out nine and giving up just four hits to the Vols. Harper Arnold absorbed the loss for Starkville.

Jackson Prep 3, BA 1 

Zach Dickerson suffered the setback for the Cougars on the mound with two strikeouts an three walks.

Patrick Box tossed the win for Jackson Prep with no strikeouts and one walk.

Senior Landon Nettles powered BA at the plate with two singles. Bailey Warren hit a single.

Grant Wood and William Eskrigge were the top hitters for Jackson Prep with a double apiece.

“We pitched well enough to get the win but left too many runners on base in scoring position,” continued Edwards. “We can not expect to win against a good team like Jackson Prep if we can not score and commit as many errors as we did.”

The Cougars committed four errors against Jackson Prep.

BA will be back in action Monday as they travel to Clinton, LA to take on the Silliman Institute Wildcats and will begin district play Tuesday evening at home verses ACCS. Junior Varsity first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.