A five-run third inning gave host Southeastern a lasting lead as the Suns defeated West Prairie 9-6 in area high school baseball action played Thursday afternoon at Swise Field in Augusta.
Southeastern improved to 6-13, while West Prairie slipped to 4-15.
Both teams scored twice in the opening inning before the Cyclones added a second-inning run in taking a 3-2 lead.
The Suns grabbed the lead for good by scoring five times in the third before tacking on single runs in the fourth and fifth innings in building a 9-3 lead.
West Prairie scored three times in the top of the six, but got no closer.
West Prairie out-hit Southeastern 10-5, also committing two errors that played a part in five unearned runs for the Suns.
Austin Nelson had two hits, including a home run, with three runs batted in and two runs scored for the Cyclones.
Braden Coplan had three hits, including a double, scoring twice, while Eli DeCounter also doubled, knocking in a run.
Matthew Whitman and Brody Cordell added one RBI each.
DeCounter pitched 2.2 innings, allowing seven runs, three earned, on three hits. He struck out three, walked two and hit three batters.
Jace Brown pitched one-third of an inning, allowing one run on one hit. He walked two batters and hit three.
Cade Chambers pitched the final three innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit. He struck out one, walked one and hit a batter.
Austin Stigall had two hits, including a triple, knocking in four runs for Southeastern.
Carson Kerr added two hits and two RBIs, while Griffin Tippey scored three runs for the Suns.
Kerr started on the mound for Southeastern, pitching two innings. He allowed three runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
Brady McClintock picked up the win in relief. He pitched 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks.
Tippey closed the door on the Cyclones, pitching the final 1.1 innings, recording three strikeouts.
West Prairie was scheduled to begin Illinois High School Association Class 1A Regional play Monday, hosting Bushnell- Prairie City (1-31) at Friendway Park.
Monday’s winner is slated to face top-seed United (29-4) in a 5 p.m. semifinal Wednesday at Stronghurst.
Thursday’s semifinal has Abingdon-Avon (12-11) playing host West Central (5-23).
The title game is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. in Stronghurst.
