A five-run second inning gave Brookhaven Academy the boost it needed as the Cougars topped Adams County Christian Academy 12-4 in MAIS baseball action Tuesday night.

Brookhaven Academy pounded out nine hits in the win, including four extra-base hits. ACCS didn’t help itself in the field as it walked four batters and hit three more.

“We didn’t string together the hits we needed to string together, and we didn’t pitch to the guys we needed to pitch to,” ACCS coach Matthew Freeman said. “We walked too many betters, and we pegged too many batters. We didn’t pitch ahead (in the count), and they sat on the fastball and crushed it.”

The Rebels (11-12, 1-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but were unable to maintain their advantage. Cole Gatlin launched a two-run homer to get ACCS on the board, and then the senior standout followed it up with a solo blast in the sixth.

Jacob McDaniel knocked in ACCS’ other run with single up the middle in the third. Cole Switzer scored on the play after knocking a double off the left field wall in his at-bat. ACCS registered six hits in the win, with three going for extra bases.

“They can obviously see the potential that they have,” Freeman said. “It’s not a coincidence that we go out there and score three or four to start every ball game we played. It doesn’t matter who we play, we’re capable of putting up runs. We’d just like to see them keep focused for the whole seven innings.”

O’Neill Burgos led Brookhaven Academy with two doubles and three RBIs. Madison Smith chipped in with a two-run double.

The two teams will square off again Friday in Brookhaven, with McDaniel getting the start on the mound.

“We have to throw strikes and work ahead,” Freeman said.