Vandegrift and Bowie boys soccer faced off in the 6A district II UIL bi-district playoffs at Burger Stadium in Austin, Friday, resulting in the Vipers winning 1-0.

In the first game of the Region 2 series between Westlake and Mountain Ridge, the Sentinels performed how they thought they should by scoring 10 runs in the first inning for a dominant 15-1 win.

The victory, they hoped, was an omen for how lopsided the series would be, but Wednesday’s Game 2 left the Sentinels shocked as Westlake defended home field by winning 4-1.

Mountain Ridge head coach Brock Whitney said the loss was a result of his team getting ahead of itself, which the Sentinels made sure not to do Friday.

The adjusted focus was clear in Friday’s Game 3 as the Sentinels dominated Westlake with a 10-0 mercy rule win.

“I think our level of focus was improved, as was the intensity in the dugout, the level of respect that we had for Westlake,” Whitney said.

“That’s a good team over there. They’re going to steal some more wins in our region. They’re scrappy, and we definitely overlooked them on Wednesday, and their guys took advantage of it. Hopefully we learned from that to not overlook anybody else the rest of the year.”

Friday’s focus was most noticeable on the defensive side of the ball, as Mountain Ridge kept Westlake scoreless while not committing any errors.

It also made big plays when it needed to. In the third, fourth and fifth innings, the Thunder had multiple runners on base — including a runner on third — and each time Mountain Ridge found a way to get out of the jam without giving up a run.

A double play in the top of the third inning with runners on second and third base especially was huge, as Mountain Ridge held only a 1-0 lead at the time.

“It was big, that double play line drive from (Schaver Dixon) to our third baseman, (Alex Krasner)," Whitney said. “Westlake had all the momentum at that point, but Schaver was able to snag it and keep his composure enough to deliver a strike over to third base. It was a big-time momentum switch.”

Offensively, the player of the game was clearly Brody Garrard. In four at-bats, Garrard had a double, a sacrifice fly, a home run and a walk-off RBI single.

He tallied four RBIs in the win.

“I saw a lot of fastballs, and just trying to attack the fastball,” Garrard said. “I saw a lot of off-speed. They couldn’t really locate, but I was trying to get the fastball and just put a good swing on it, and that’s what I did.”

Garrard helped put the game away, but strong hitting throughout the lineup gave Mountain Ridge the edge.

While its defense clutched out two-out situations, its offense was also pulling in runs with multiple outs. In the fourth inning, Mountain Ridge scored four runs with two outs.

Finally, with two outs in the fifth inning, Garrard hit the RBI single for the mercy rule win.

“One through nine, we all got hits,” Garrard said. “Like we’re just competing every at-bat and have a lot of quality at-bats.

“We’re a dangerous team, and the state knows that. If we play our best ball, we’re real dangerous.”

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Tremont’s baseball opener will be hard to forget.

Chase Rhodes and Jaxon Weer combined to no-hit visiting Richwoods in Tremont’s 10-0 win on Thursday. Weer also had two hits and knocked in three runs in the five-inning victory.

Rhodes struck out eight in 3.2 innings, throwing 32 strikes in his 50 pitches. Weer retired the final four hitters of the game.

Elsewhere, Ryan Lindley won his first game as Morton’s coach. The Potters scored seven times in the second inning on the way to a 10-5 victory over visiting Normal West.

Normal Community, Limestone, Bloomington and Roanoke-Benson were among the other baseball winners. Dunlap, Metamora, Bloomington and Brimfield were among the softball winners.

Notre Dame erupted for six goals in the second half to beat visiting Rock Island Alleman, 9-0, in the soccer season opener for the Irish.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.

Skyline ran its winning streak to five straight with another impressive one-goal victory on Thursday night.

Parker Loosli broke the scoreless deadlock in the second half with an unassisted goal, and keeper Brody Vogel made sure it help up as the Eagles slipped visiting Woods Cross for the 1-0 victory.

Skyline improve to 5-1 win the victory and 3-0 in region play.

All five of Skyline’s wins have been one-goal triumphs, with the previous wins coming against Fremont, Lone Peak, Olympus and Brighton.

Two days ago Loosli scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Brighton, and combined with the game-winner against Woods Cross he’s now scored four goals on the season.

Skyline is no stranger to success in one-goal games as it posted a 7-3 record in close contests a year ago.

Mar. 19—UD Arena is playing host to two Division IIII boys state semifinal games Thursday evening.

Trotwood (22-4) is facing Toledo Central Catholic (23-3) for a trip to the state championship game at 6 p.m. Both teams are in the semifinals for the seventh time overall and are seeking what would be their third championship game appearances.

The winner will play either Steubenville or Akron Archbishop Hoban at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Those two teams play one another in Thursday's second game of the evening.

Check back for more photos, video and news from the postgame.

OVERTIME

Trotwood can't stop winning close games.

The Rams do it again and will play for a state championship on Friday with a 55-53 victory.

Je'Carious Reaves helped run down nearly the final 1:36 off the clock with the game tied before he drove into the lane and scored with roughly three seconds remaining.

TCC's final heave down the court was picked off at midcourt.

Reaves leads all scorers with 16 points. Dennis scored 12, including the three most important of Trotwood's season to send the game to overtime.

FOURTH QUARTER

More late game magic taking place at the state tournament at UD Arena

Darius Dennis hit a three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime at 49

TCC built its lead to 10 before Trotwood had a short surge to cut its deficit in half Midway through the period

TCC hit one of two free throws with 15 seconds left to keep the open for Trotwood.

THIRD QUARTER

TCC heads to the fourth quarter ahead 39-32.

TCC took its first lead of the game, 29-28, off a Kingston Sito jumper right at the midway point of the period.

Trotwood only made one field goal over the initial six minutes of the quarter. Justyce Taylor broke free on the block for an open layup to stop a 7-0 TCC run and Reaves got a steal and fast break layup to tie the score seconds later.

After a 2-for-6 start at the free throw line, the Fighting Irish found some better success in the final two minutes with three straight makes to go back in front as they scored the final seven points of the quarter.

The only TCC player with any fouls committed is Kaeden Carruthers with three. No Trotwood player has more than two.

SECOND QUARTER

A 23-20 lead for Trotwood at the break.

Daveon Arnold leads all scorers with seven points at the break.

Trotwood jumped back into the lead with consecutive three-pointers made by Je'Carious Reaves and Arnold to go up 17-11. TCC has been stifled from getting looks inside and has needed to settle for jumpers.

The Fighting Irish were able to trade baskets for most of the period, but haven't been able establish a rhythm on offense.

The Rams have yet to trail at any point in the game.

FIRST QUARTER

Trotwood and TCC are tied at 11 after one.

The Rams led for most of the first quarter. Reaves, Arnold and Dennis all scored. Trotwood led 7-2 early before they began missing shots from three.

TCC tied the score twice at 9 and 11 in the final minute.

Mar. 19—UD Arena is playing host to two Division IIII boys state semifinal games Thursday evening.

Trotwood (22-4) is facing Toledo Central Catholic (23-3) for a trip to the state championship game at 6 p.m. Both teams are in the semifinals for the seventh time overall and are seeking what would be their third championship game appearances.

The winner will play either Steubenville or Akron Archbishop Hoban at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Those two teams play one another in Thursday's second game of the evening.

Check back for more photos, video and news from the postgame.

OVERTIME

Trotwood can't stop winning close games.

The Rams do it again and will play for a state championship on Friday with a 55-53 victory.

Je'Carious Reaves helped run down nearly the final 1:36 off the clock with the game tied before he drove into the lane and scored with roughly three seconds remaining.

TCC's final heave down the court was picked off at midcourt.

Reaves leads all scorers with 16 points. Dennis scored 12, including the three most important of Trotwood's season to send the game to overtime.

FOURTH QUARTER

More late game magic taking place at the state tournament at UD Arena

Darius Dennis hit a three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime at 49

TCC built its lead to 10 before Trotwood had a short surge to cut its deficit in half Midway through the period

TCC hit one of two free throws with 15 seconds left to keep the open for Trotwood.

THIRD QUARTER

TCC heads to the fourth quarter ahead 39-32.

TCC took its first lead of the game, 29-28, off a Kingston Sito jumper right at the midway point of the period.

Trotwood only made one field goal over the initial six minutes of the quarter. Justyce Taylor broke free on the block for an open layup to stop a 7-0 TCC run and Reaves got a steal and fast break layup to tie the score seconds later.

After a 2-for-6 start at the free throw line, the Fighting Irish found some better success in the final two minutes with three straight makes to go back in front as they scored the final seven points of the quarter.

The only TCC player with any fouls committed is Kaeden Carruthers with three. No Trotwood player has more than two.

SECOND QUARTER

A 23-20 lead for Trotwood at the break.

Daveon Arnold leads all scorers with seven points at the break.

Trotwood jumped back into the lead with consecutive three-pointers made by Je'Carious Reaves and Arnold to go up 17-11. TCC has been stifled from getting looks inside and has needed to settle for jumpers.

The Fighting Irish were able to trade baskets for most of the period, but haven't been able establish a rhythm on offense.

The Rams have yet to trail at any point in the game.

FIRST QUARTER

Trotwood and TCC are tied at 11 after one.

The Rams led for most of the first quarter. Reaves, Arnold and Dennis all scored. Trotwood led 7-2 early before they began missing shots from three.

TCC tied the score twice at 9 and 11 in the final minute.