MENDENHALL – It was a pitcher’s duel in the heart of SimpsonCounty Tuesday night, as junior hurlers Chris Jones of Mendenhalland southpaw Paxton King of Brookhaven faced off.

Both teams were jockeying for position in the Division 6-4Arace.

King got the best of his counterpart as the Panthers blanked theTigers 2-0. King would give up a walk, 3 hits; while fanning 12Mendenhall batters.

Brookhaven hosts Mendenhall Friday, with the JV game’s firstpitch set for 4:30.

Brookhaven 2, Mendenhall 0

The Panthers (13-8, 4-3) set the tone early in the top of thefirst. Senior shortstop Elliot Warren, on a 3-2 pitch, crushed asolo shot over the leftfield fence. Ole Brook led 1-0.

Brookhaven, coached by Randy Spring, watched as both Jones andKing put on a pitching clinic.

“Both pitchers did a good job tonight,” said Spring. “Jones hasthrown very well against us the past few years.”

Jones would take the loss in 7 innings, allowing 2 earned runson 5 hits. He allowed no walks with 7 strikeouts.

The Tigers (8-11, 3-6) had an opportunity to score, with J.J.Smith at third and Matt Turner at first with 1 out in the fourth.King would record consecutive strikeouts to end the threat.

“We have struggled against lefthanders this year,” Mendenhallhead coach Chad Leggett said. “We have to learn to stay withinourselves. King did a good job tonight and Brookhaven has a goodteam.”

Spring saw his ballclub add another run in the sixth. Bud Brittreached on an error. Cole Newell reached first, as he was hit by aJones pitch. Both runners would advance to third and secondrespectively on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Cody Ratcliff’ssingle scored Britt.

“Paxton has been throwing the ball very good in our last severalgames,” added Coach Spring.

Warren led Ole Brook with the 4-bagger and a double. King,Newell and Ratcliff each had a single.

Mendenhall got hits from Smith, Turner and Jones.