RYAN NEWA ’12 | Online Sports Editor

Thanks to a seven run fifth inning, the varsity baseball team defeated Grosse Pointe North 9-3 Saturday to win its district and advance to regionals.

Because Detroit Southeastern dropped out of its scheduled Saturday morning matchup with South, the Blue Devils were left having to win just one game to win the district.

Jon Parker, Matt Reno and Robby Kish, all ’12, along with George Fishback and Jack Doyle, both ’13, all made key contributions to ensure South took full advantage.

Though the final score appears lopsided, the game was in fact close for a long time. South struck first in the bottom of the second, while the Norseman responded with one of its own in the top half of the third.

“It took us a little while to get adjusted to Chip (North’s starting pitcher),” said catcher Timmy Kramer ’12.

That was where things changed, as the Blue Devils took control in the fifth, pushing seven runs across the plate to blow the game open.

“After you get the first few baserunners on, the rest seems to come a little bit easier,” said Kramer. “We had some timely hitting, and once we got the first couple runs up on the board, the hits just kept coming.”

The fourth inning assault started when the Blue Devils loaded the bases with just one out, thanks in part to third baseman Matt Reno’s ‘12 bunt down the third baseline that yielded no throw.

With the bases then loaded, Parker slapped a single up the middle, plating two runs and breaking the tie.

A couple batters later, centerfielder Cam Gibson ‘12, who will play baseball at Michigan State next year, came to the plate with the bases loaded again. He hit a ground ball to first base, which was fielded cleanly, but the first baseman attempted unsuccessfully to cut down the run at the plate. Reno beat the throw, and South continued to pour it on.

An RBI single from Andrew Addy ’12, a sacrifice fly, and a mammoth double from Robby Kish ’12 continued the Blue Devil onslaught. When the inning finally came to an end, South had stretched its lead to 8-1, and its chances of advancing to regionals were seemingly inevitable.

“We had a couple of really good innings,” said Kramer. “We did a pretty good job both from the mound and in the field. So it was definitely a good step forward.”

On the mound for the Blue Devils was Doyle, who lasted six full innings, giving up just three runs (two earned) and recording five strikeouts.

“He’s done very well for us this year,” Kramer said. “(This game) wasn’t any exception. He was phenomenal. He just did a great job.”

With the win, South begins regional play on Saturday. The team will take on University of Detroit Jesuit at 10 a.m. at North High School.

“Like any game, especially in playoff time, chances of winning are 50-50,” said Kramer. “It can go either way. It’s just a completely different atmosphere and completely different ballgame.”

Reno, on the other hand, is optimistic about the Blue Devils’ chances on Saturday.

“They have a few good relief pitchers, the can hit the ball, but they have some holes,” said Reno. “I think we match up well with them. I personally think we can beat them, but we’ll have to play our game. It’ll be a good one.”