DAPHNE—Home sweet home. For the first time in Bayside Academy history, the baseball Admirals will have shore leave for the first round of the playoffs.

"That was a goal that we set at the start of the season," said head coach Doug Leffard about winning the area.

Bayside (19-5, 7-2) defeated Choctaw County 12-0 Friday at home and secured the 3A Area 1 championship. The Admirals have taken the runner-up spot several times at the 2A level, but moving up to 3A this season worked to their advantage.

"We worked hard to accomplish that," Leffard said. "We're very proud of our seniors."

Freshman right hander Joe Vincent got the start and pitched four scoreless innings to go 6-1 allowing just one hit and walking two. Junior Daniel Beebe closed the door in the fifth striking out the side for the 10-run rule victory.

"Joe did a good job of getting ahead in the count," Leffard said. "Daniel then did a solid job of doing what he needed to to close it out in the fifth."

Max Dearing led off the Bayside lineup with a triple to start a nine-run first inning and the Admirals were well on their way to the title.

Dearing later scored on an error, Paul Moravec was hit, Cameron Reehl singled in Moravec, Joby Allen doubled, Tyler Masterson tripled in Allen and Reehl, John Stassen singled in Masterson, Justin Raines singled in Stassen, Dearing walked and Moravec drove in Raines, Dearing and himself with an inside-the-park homer run to center.

Bayside went up 10-0 in the second when Will Sanders singled and Allen's second double drove Sanders home.

Masterson picked up his third and fourth RBIs when he drove in Dearing who singled and Moravec who walked.

In the fourth, Neal Christman had a double but was left on for the Admirals.

Leffard said he was very grateful to his six seniors Corey Dean, Dearing, Masterson, Moravec, Reehl and Sanders. "They have been very dedicated to this program, they helped us get to this point. It's a great achievement for them and the school and we want them to know how much we appreciate it."

On April 7, Bayside clinched the playoffs with a 3-2 Area 1 win over area runner-up Cottage Hill Christian for 2-1 series advantage. The two area leaders had split the week before. Reehl got the win. Masterson drove in Allen and Dearing in the third. Masterson,the Admiral's centerfielder then singled in the fourth, advanced on Stassen’s fielders choice and scored the deciding run on an error. Will Sanders also singled.

Bayside will host Wicksburg for a playoff doubleheader Friday at the Sports Complex on Daphne Avenue (Baldwin 64) near Baldwin 13.

Reach Tony Whitehead at twhitehead@gulfcoastnewspapers.com