CARRIERE — Four runs in the first inning and one in the fifth helped Pearl River Central breeze its way to a 5-1 victory over North Pike Friday night.

With the win, the Blue Devils (17-5, 6-2 Region 7-5A) clinched the number two seed in Region 7-5A heading into postseason play.

“Right now, it is just about getting the team to play well going into the playoffs,” PRC Head Baseball Coach Neil Walther said. “We saw some good things tonight heading into the playoffs and we also had some good offensive performances from Austen Izzio, Caleb Tynes and Zach Roussell.”

Izzio scored twice and Hayden Dunhurst, Tristan Schlottmann and Tynes scored one run each. Tynes batted 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs, Mason Treat went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI and Dunhurst was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

PRC’s Austin Dean pitched the entire game, allowing two hits and one run while striking out six batters.

On Saturday, the Blue Devils lost against Brookhaven Academy 8-5 but defeated Columbia Academy 12-1 in five innings.

PRC’s Blake Craft pitched the entire game against the Cougars. Walther said it was a good win for Craft, considering that Columbia Academy is the current MAIS Class 3 State Champion.

The Blue Devils will play its last district game Tuesday night against county rivals Picayune at Kent Kirkland Field. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m.

—Poplarville baseball: The Hornets lost 13-0 against the Tornadoes Friday night in five innings. Poplarville (8-11, 4-4 Region 7-4A) will be back in action Tuesday night on the road against Sumrall.

—Picayune baseball: The Maroon Tide lost 7-4 on the road against the Tigers Friday night. For Picayune (8-11, 0-8 Region 7-5A), Tyler Penton batted 2-for-3 with an RBI and Dylan Ramsay and Shaun Anderson each went 1-for-1 and combined for three RBIs. Caleb Burnette and Logan Ledet each saw action on the mound for Picayune.

The Maroon Tide will play its last home game of the season Tuesday against PRC at 7 p.m.

—Pearl River Central softball: The Lady Devils defeated North Pike 7-0 Thursday night and Belle Chasse (La.) 8-4 Friday night.

With the two games combined, Shelby Archer batted 4-for-8 with a homerun and three RBIs, Gower was 2-for-5 with three RBIs, Maddi Glidewell went 2-for-4 and Taylor Kauzlarich was 1-for-3 with an RBI. PRC’s Jade Latham allowed 10 hits and struck out 23 batters over the two games.

The Lady Devils (17-2, 3-0 Region 7-5A) will face the Lady Tigers on the road Tuesday night.