Jansen Deangelo slides into home plate in the third inning to put NV up 3-0.
Patriot players run onto the field and celebrate with Jansen Deangelo after he made the final out of the game.
Brody Lambeck (6) celebrates with assistant coach Seth Patin after Lambeck reaches first base.
The players celebrate after the final out.
North Vermilion advances to state baseball finals
SULPHUR — The No. 6 North Vermilion Patriots advanced to the finals of the Division II Non-Select playoffs with a 6-1 semifinal victory over the No. 10 Pearl River Rebels Wednesday night.
“We came out ready to go,” said NV skipper Jeremy Trahan. Don’t doubt these guys. If you give them a little opportunity to get something done, they’re going to do it.”
The Patriots (23-13) opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Devin Blanchard singled to rightfield, plating Hunter Denais.
North Vermilion struck again in the third, adding four more runs to its lead.
Colt Lejeune had the big hit in the inning, driving in two runs with a line drive single to leftfield.
The Patriots added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Ben Carter stole home to make it 6-0.
Isaac Russell got the win on the hill to improve to 6-2 on the season. He pitched all seven innings, allowing one unearned run on five hits and one walk while striking out four.
Brody Lambeck had two hits to lead the Patriots at the dish. Lejeune had one hit and two RBI while Blanchard had one hit and one RBI. Colton Jeansonne and Denais each had an RBI.
NV plays No. 1 Lutcher on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the finals.
“We’re not going to hit home runs or light up the radar gun,” Trahan said. “But we’re a darn good baseball team.”