BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The Baldwin County High School baseball team advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1994 Saturday with a 4-3, 4-3 sweep over the Prattville Lions.

Jansen Boeschen started the first game for the Tigers, striking out seven batters and giving up seven hits. The BCHS bats came alive in the second inning as Joe Devan had a double to right field. Boeschen reached on an error, and Devan scored, then Jake Swearingen's double to center brought in Boeschen. Swearingen advanced, then Kristian Johnson's single and RBI gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

The fourth inning proved to be a long one for Boeschen as he loaded the bases but redeemed himself with a double play. Prattville scored one run in the inning.

Prattville's Jordan Friday had a solo homer in the fifth to close the gap 3-2, then Sam Chambliss scored on an error to tie the game at 3.

The Tigers came back in the bottom of the sixth when Swearigen hit a leadoff single. He was then given a courtesy runner Robert Cook. Tucker Miller then hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Cook, and single by Billy Johnstone and a Prattville error allowed Cook to score to give the Tigers the 4-3 go ahead to close out the first game.

Game Two started out rough for the Tigers as J.A. Harville gave up five hits in the first inning and allowed three runs. Inn the third Tucker Miller hit a double to left field to start the inning. Johnson was then hit by a pitch and a Prattville error allowed Miller to score to bring the score to 3-1 PHS. Baldwin County's defense shut down the first three hitters for Prattville in the third which kept the Tiger's bats warm. Devan led the inning off reaching base on a walk. Boeschen then hit a single and Swearingen brought in Devan with another single. Boeschen scored after a balk by Prattville pitcher Colin Astin to tie the game at 3.

In the fifth Jordan Friday replaced Astin on the mound for Prattville. Harville was the first to meet the new pitcher and he reached on balls and was able to score the go ahead run on an error. The Tiger defense was able to hold off the Prattville Lions to advance to their first semifinals since 1994.

“Jansen and JA pitched their hearts out today and the defense was behind them 100 percent,” BCHS coach Peter Bezeredi said. “Also our hitting came through for us today. In the second game with us down 3-0 we never quit and the cheap runs paid off for us. We are looking forward to playing Alma Bryant Friday, they are a fine ball club and it will take everything for us to stay with them. We are looking forward to the match up. With the community support I feel like we will get the job done."

Baldwin County High School will host Alma Bryant Friday night in a semifinal double header. Times were not available at press time.