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Needing only one win to clinch the state championship, the Eagles claimed the crown by rolling to a 14-2 five-inning victory over Kent County-South at Loats Field.

West Carroll advances to the regional tournament, where it will face the Delaware champion on July 30 at Widener University in Pennsylvania.

"It feels good," winning pitcher Nick Rippeon said. "My teammates worked hard for me, played good defense and hit the crap out of the ball."

After being dormant through two innings, Casey Klein brought home Jake Bassler with a single in the top of the third. Six hits and a handful of errors and walks later and the Eagles possessed a 7-0 advantage.

Two runs in the fourth put West Carroll ahead 9-0. Reeling, Kent managed to score its first run with a bases-loaded walk.

The Eagles batted around and scored further in their half of the fifth. Bassler drove in three runs during the pivital barrage, while Nick Omeala, Rippeon and Casey Klein drove in a run each. West Carroll's final two runs came on a passed ball.

"We've focused on hitting," West Carroll head coach Brian Klein said. "These guys have just been hitting the ball like crazy all the time. They've just been coming through. We went through a slump in the middle of the season, then the bats just opened up and it's all come together."

Rippeon, a Linganore High alum, earned the win, allowing just one earned run on three hits while fanning a pair. Casey Klein closed out the game in the fifth.

Bassler and Rippeon each scored twice. West Carroll banged out 13 hits.

After knocking off Prince Georges County 11-1 in the first round, the Eagles defeated St. Mary's 14-7 then advanced to the finals by edging past Kent-North 10-9.

"We have a lot of confidence in our team and faith in each other," Rippeon said.

The celebration was subdued following the final out. More remains to be accomplished.

"We're going all the way," Rippeon said.