NATCHEZ — ACCS coach Hunter McKeivier knew that Brookhaven Academy slugger Corey Dickerson was a home run threat any time he stepped into the batters box.

But with the bases loaded, the Rebels had to pitch to him and Dickerson made them pay, jacking a grand slam deep over the right field wall in the fifth inning that blew the game open in an eventual 12-5 Brookhaven win in Game 1 of the Class AA opening round playoff series.

“That Dickerson kid can flat-out hit,” McKeivier said. “When he comes to the plate with the bases loaded, you’ve got to try and get him out. He did a great job of hitting.”

Dickerson’s two-out blast gave the Cougars a 10-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth, and became even larger after ACCS scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to make the score 10-4.

“Dickerson is a senior who has carried us all year,” Brookhaven coach Stephen Cooksey said. “Hopefully he can continue to carry us a few more games.”

The Cougars (19-3) scored six total runs in the top of the fifth. The other two came on a double by Tyler Parvin.

ACCS (12-11) jumped on top in the bottom of the second when Bryce Murray laid down a perfect bunt that scored T.J. Johnson.

The Rebels had a chance for more runs, but left the bases loaded when Ryan Comer bounced into a double play to end the inning.

Brookhaven wasted no time in reclaiming the lead, scoring four runs in the top of the third inning.

The big blow of the inning was a two-run single by Kolby Byrd. Parvin also had an RBI single while Tripp Jolly drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Luke Brumfield led off the bottom of the third with a solo home run to cut the lead to two, but the Rebels could not score again until the game was already out of hand.

“I told these kids that if we get good pitching, play good defense and get some timely hits, we’ll win some games,” McKeivier said. “Tonight we left a lot of runners in scoring position. It’s a game of breaks and we didn’t get them tonight.”

The series continues Thursday night at Brookhaven. If the Rebels win, a Game 3 will be played at ACCS Friday night at 6 p.m.