#10 Corinth Holders Rolls Past Cleveland in Series Opener

WENDELL, N.C. – No. 10 Corinth Holders rode a dominant pitching performance from Briggs McKenzie and an early offensive explosion to an 8-1 conference win over Cleveland High School on Tuesday night.

McKenzie, a senior left-hander, was stellar on the mound, tossing six innings of one-run ball, striking out nine to pick up the win. He also contributed at the plate, ripping an RBI triple down the right field line in the first inning to spark a four-run opening frame for the Pirates.

Corinth Holders extended their lead in the second when Carson Mentlewski singled to center, bringing home McKenzie for his second run scored of the night.

Cleveland found life in the fifth, scoring one on a walk and two soft singles. Brayden McArthur delivered an RBI single to get the Rams on the board, but with two runners still aboard, McKenzie locked in, inducing a groundout before striking out the next two hitters to escape the jam.

The Pirates tacked on three insurance runs in the sixth, capitalizing on two walks and an RBI single from Reese File, who plated two. Corinth Holders' final run scored on a passed ball, putting the game out of reach.

Cleveland will look to even the series when they host Game 2 later this week.

Key Performers

Cleveland:

• Aubrey Stanley: 1-for-2
• Jack Dalton: 1-for-3
• Brayden MacArthur: 1-for-3, 1 RBI
• Brooks Moore (L): 1 IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 1BB, 0K
• Mason Rodgers: 4 IP, 1H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 5K
• Tanner Murphy: 1 IP, 2H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 1K

#10 Corinth Holders:

• Reese File: 2-for-4, 2R, 2RBI
• Briggs McKenzie: 2-for-3, 3B, 2R, 1RBI
• Carter Wall: 2-for-4, 1R, 1RBI
• Conner Dunlop: 1-for-3, 1RBI
• Alex Houseman: 1-for-3, 1RBI
• Briggs McKenzie (W): 6 IP, 3H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 9K
• Eli Cash: 1 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K

SCOUT BLOG

Briggs McKenzie, LHP, Corinth Holders HS, 2025
LSU commit. Athletic build. High waist. Fairly broad shoulder with a tapered waist. Thin frame that will handle more strength and weight in the coming years. 6-foot-1, 190 pounds. 3B side of the rubber. Side saddle with a pre-set pivot. Simple rocker and lift. Stable head. Level through balance and to his foot strike. Lands slightly on the 1B side of his line. Square foot-strike. Long arm action. Athletic arm has good rhythm. Works to a 3/4 slot. Excellent whip. Ball jumps out of the hand. Athletic finish. Fastball ranged