Cullman advanced to semifinal play with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 2-all tie on the way to a 4-2 victory in Game 3 action at Cullman.

Paxton Ponder belted a two-out, two-run homer, his only hit of the game, for the winning runs.

Gardendale had tied the game in the top of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Norris and run-scoring single by Easton Kleyn.

Elijah Hayes added a double for Cullman (23-20) while H Howell had a hit and RBI.

Starter Easton Peed gave up two runs and five hits in five innings for the Bearcats while Cody Jones picked up the win, throwing 2/3 of an inning, and Ponder got the save.

Kleyn was 3-for-3 to lead Gardendale (25-13) while Caiden Combs was 2-for-4 and Connor Hensley had a double.

Cullman plays top-ranked Oxford in semifinal action.

CLASS 4A

St. John Paul II 8, Priceville 6

Brendan Caruso went 3-for-4 with two RBIs as St. John Paul II ousted top-ranked Priceville in Game 3 of their quarterfinal playoff series.

The Falcons (24-10) will play Etowah in the state semifinals next week.

Luke Songy, Nick Songy and Tyler Sottolano each had two hits for St. John Paul II, which scored four runs in the second and three in the third to take command. Caruso picked up the win with 4.2 innings of relief. He allowed five hits and two runs.

Thomas Kerby had two hits for Priceville. Jackson Prickett gave up four runs – only one earned – in two innings and took the loss.

CLASS 3A

Phil Campbell 11, Lauderdale County 5

No. 2 Phil Campbell scored four runs in the fourth inning to take the lead and cruised into the state semifinals.

The Bobcats (29-7) pounded out 17 hits. They will play top-ranked Gordo next week in a matchup of the top two teams in 3A.

Kyle Pace had two hits and three RBIs. Cody Quinn and Koltin Hester each had three hits and two RBIs. Eli Taylor went the distance for the win. He allowed four earned runs on nine hits and struck out seven. He walked two.

Noah Parker went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Lauderdale County. Jackson Hamm also drove in two.

CLASS 1A

Appalachian 11, Sumiton Christian 4

Top-ranked Appalachian scored six runs in the second inning and went on to defeat No. 7 Sumiton Christian to advances to the state semifinals.

The Eagles (25-4) will play No. 9 Hackleburg next week with the winner earning a trip to the state finals.

Garrett Helms went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored and two RBIs. Preston Martin had two hits and two RBIs and Chris Heekin was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Logan Harvey, the first of three Appalachian pitchers, got the win.

Braden Woodard took the loss for Sumiton Christian. Sumiton actually outhit Appalachian 16-12. Leadoff man Sam Nix went 5-for-5. Austin Scobey, Justin Hicks, Kaden Parrish and Rusty McDonald each had two hits.

This post will be updated