By JAY TIDWELL

Sports Writer

PONTOTOC — Blake O'Callaghan made certain no one doubted the outcome of Pontotoc's rematch against North Pontotoc.

The prior meeting between the county rivals on March 30 wasn't decided until extra innings, but O'Callaghan's strong pitching performance and three-run home run helped Pontotoc defeat the Vikings 13-3 in six innings of baseball last Tuesday.

With the win, shortened to six innings pursuant to the ten-run Mercy Rule, the Warriors clinched back-to-back regular season division titles and secured the top seed from Region 1-4A heading into the post-season.

"We're glad we're in the playoffs," said Pontotoc head coach Phil Webb, whose squad improved to 17-4-1 overall and 7-1 against division competition. "It's a luxury when you can get out there and jump to a lead in this division. This division is tough. There are teams that can beat you out there every single night."

O'Callaghan, a senior who throws left and bats right, improved to 6-1 in pitching, with the solitary loss coming in the earlier meeting between the teams — a 2-1 loss in nine innings at Ecru. The loss is also the only blemish on the Warriors impressive run through Region 1-4A.

"It was rusty at first but then it got better throughout the game," said O'Callaghan of his outing on the mound. "It got a little more intense."

The first inning

In the opening inning, it looked as if North Pontotoc was picking up where it left off in the previous match.

Myles Snyder drew a base on balls with two out, then Kyle Robbins, Devin Rodgers and Ethan Flake followed with base hits. Hayden Stegall doubled to center field, completing the three-run frame. O'Callaghan shut out the Vikings the rest of the way, striking out 11, including the final five he faced.

Pontotoc tied it at 3-all in the bottom half of the inning by keeping the bases loaded with two outs. Jon Michael Hannon, courtesy runner Jacob Stokes, and Kaleb Kennedy scored runs.

The second & third

Pontotoc added two more in the second — on a sacrifice fly by O'Callaghan and a bases-loaded walk by Kyle Russell — to go ahead 5-3.

Then O'Callaghan's shot in the third built a comfortable lead.

Andrew Bell reached on a dropped third strike and Hannon punched a single up the middle to set up O'Callaghan's out of the park hit to left field.

"I got behind in the count, and he hung a curveball," said O'Callaghan of his 0-2 shot off Snyder, his third homer of the year. "I stayed with it and hit it. It felt great, like we already had the ball game won."

The fifth & sixth

The Warriors scored four times in the fifth to surge ahead 12-3. In the sixth, Jake Smithey doubled to the centerfield wall, stole third, and scored the decisive run after a throwing error on a sacrifice fly by O'Callaghan.

Stegall had multiple hits for North Pontotoc (7-14, 3-5 in Region 1-4A), which is wrapping up its first season in 4A.

Anthony’s take

"We came out and swung good early, but we couldn't hold them (Pontotoc) down," said North Pontotoc head coach Chad Anthony. "O'Callaghan threw a really good game and mixed it up good. They played well tonight.

"When you can't find a zone against a good team, they did what they're supposed to do and they hit it hard and made it a tough night," Anthony added. "We beat them the first time, and we knew it was going to be a tough rematch."