The dust settled in Region 8-3A play Tuesday night.
Home-standing West Marion out-lasted visiting St. Stanislaus 5-4 in nine innings to win the regular season championship in league play. The win pushes the Trojans to a perfect 9-0 in the region race with just one game to play, while SSC drops to 7-2 in the standings. The Rocks are settled in as the second seed in the loop for the upcoming Class 3A state playoffs.
Meanwhile, St. Patrick shut down visiting Perry Central 16-1 in four innings Tuesday night to clinch the fourth and final spot and settle the four postseason participants from Region 8-3A. Seminary will be the third seed and the Fighting Irish is the fourth seed.
In the SPHS win, Jacob Alexander paced the Fighting Irish at the plate with a game-high two hits, while Cohen Weinhofer cacked a three-run double. Andrew Lowery had a run-scoring double, while both Jake Landgrave and Carson Kilpatrick each had two-run singles in the winning 10-hit attack. Chaz Byers, Otis Brooks, Ben Rimes and Cooper Mercer each all drove in a run apiece for SPHS.
Brooks went the four frame distance n the hill to pick up the win, striking out 11 while walking just one and scattering three hits.
The same two teams will meet in New Augusta Friday night to round out region play.
Then, on Saturday afternoon, the Fighting Irish will travel to Pascagoula for a game against defending Class 1A state champion Resurrection at 2 p.m.
In the battle for the top spot in Region 8-3A Tuesday night in Foxworth, the Trojans pushed across a solo run in the bottom of the ninth to nip St. Stanislaus 5-4 and win the region race.
The Rock-a-Chaws actually led 4-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh before West Marion managed to tally a trio of runs to knot things up at 4-4 and send the game into extra sessions.
Chesley Rhodes had a game-high three hits, including a double, and drove in a team-high two runs for SSC in the loss.
Freshman Tate Murphy was saddled with the loss for SSC, as he allowed two hits and the game-winning run in the fateful ninth frame.
The same two teams meet in Bay St. Louis Friday night to wrap up league play.
And lastly, Seminary secured its playoff berth with a 19-1 win over Jefferson Davis County Tuesday night.
