Jackson Henderson drove in 3 runs and held Spanish Fort to 3 hits as Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa defeated the seventh-ranked Toros 9-2 on Saturday to advance to AHSAA Class 6A state championship series.

The Patriots, who have three state titles with the last one coming in 2016, will take on top-ranked Hartselle on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park.

“Jackson is a very good dual player,” Hillcrest head coach Mark Garner said. “He did the same thing in the quarterfinals. He pitched and hit a 2-run home run in that game.”

After Jackson surrendered an unearned run in the top of the first inning, the senior right-hander stroked a 2-run double to the fence in left center field. The double drove in Kahden Smith and Jameson Farley.

Henderson went to third on an error and celebrated at the base with a scream and a muscle flex for his teammates.

“I was trying to pump our guys up,” he said. “I knew that we were going to have to score a lot of runs to win. We usually play better when everyone is fired up.”

Brooks Tunnell singled to left to score Henderson and give the Patriots a 3-1 advantage after the first inning.

Spanish Fort cut the deficit to a single run in the top of the third when Newt Garner doubled and scored on a Hillcrest error.

Gunnar Hobson grounded out in the fourth to bring home Noah Latham with another Patriots run. After Henderson’s sacrifice fly scored Smith, Latham stroked a single to left driving in Farley. The Patriots added 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, keyed by Brooks Faulkner’s RBI single.

“We have been blessed with a great group of kids that fight,” Garner said. “For the second week in a row, our kids answered the bell and competed. After starting the season 1-6, they have earned and deserve a shot to win a state championship.”

Star of the game: Henderson was 1-for-3 at plate with 3 RBIs. On the mound, the senior allowed 3 hits and struck out 6.

Stat sheet: The Patriots drew 4 walks and got hit by pitches twice.

Coachspeak: “Our coaches and players have worked extremely hard to earn a shot at a championship. Our community really came out and supported us today. We are looking forward to the next challenge.” – Hillcrest’s Garner

Next up: Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa will open the best-of-three championship series with Hartselle on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park. Games 2 and, if necessary, 3 will be at Jacksonville State University’s Jim Case Stadium on Friday at 10 a.m.