MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Oxford pitcher Tucker Simpson and Fairhope pitcher Toby Thomas battled until the end, with Simpson's Yellow Jackets coming out on the winning side of a 2-0 pitcher's duel on Friday in Game 1 of the 6A baseball state championship series.

Simpson fanned 12 in a one-hit shutout to get the win for the Yellow Jackets, who improved to 38-12 overall. Thomas (11-1) struck out 13 hitters and gave up two runs, including a towering homer to Trent Simpson in the top of the fifth.

"It was an outstanding high school baseball game," Fairhope coach Stu Fuller said. "Their guy hit his spots all night. I don't think he walked a hitter. Toby was great, I think he walked one hitter."

Chase Domino had Fairhope's only hit, a single in the bottom of the fifth.

The teams will meet again Saturday at 4 p.m. at Riverwalk Stadium. A Pirate (37-7) win would force a third and final game.

"I hope we can come back and get a quality start out of Ethan (Hunt) tomorrow," Fuller said.