LIBERTY – The Brookhaven Academy Cougars were hoping go on the road and take one step closer to clinching the top spot in the District 5AA race. What they got was a near perfect pitching performance from sophomore left-hander William King who totally dominated the Amite School Center Rebels from start to finish en route to a 17-strikeout, one-hit, 6-0 shutout victory.

King faced just 22 batters and allowed only a bloop infield single in the sixth but went on to strike out the next two batters to close out the inning.

“William (King) was absolutely dominant tonight. He had complete command of all his pitches from the time he warmed up in the pen to the last batter he faced in the seventh inning.” Commented BA Head coach Casey Edwards. “That kind of performance in a key district game from a sophomore is really exciting to see.”

Landon Nettles got the scoring going in the third inning with a solo homerun off ASC starter Drew Caston. Nettles and Heath Hickman continue to swing hot bats for the Cougars with three hits each on their evening at the plate.

“Landon (Nettles) and Heath Hickman are getting it done at the plate for us right now. We have some guys starting to pick up the ball really well swinging the bat and that’s good to see this time of the year.” said Edwards. Alex Smith, Zach Dickerson and Steven William also hit safely to add support to the Cougar attack.

Caston absorbed the loss, giving up nine hits to the Cougars and issuing three bases on balls.

In junior varsity action,  the Cougars picked up a 7-3 victory over the Rebels behind a solid pitching performance from sophomore Austin Smith. Smith struck out five and issued six bases on balls in his five innings of work. Dalton Hales took the loss for the Rebels.

Two hits apiece by Taylor Freeny and Madison Smith led the BA 11 hit attack. Connor Dorman, Fisher Warren, Dylan Winborne, John Coleman, Carter Culbertson, Jaden Clark and Austin Smith each hit safely for the Cougars to add support. Tyler Higgins and John Leyendecker led ASC with a single each.

BA and ASC will face each other again Friday night to complete the district series. JV first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.