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The Thorsby baseball team won five times against Verbena and Billingsley and wrapped up the regular season with a perfect record in Area 9-2A.

The Rebels handled business by defeating Billingsley 17-1 and 6-2 during a home series to end area play April 13.

“We’ve come out on top of area play, but now it’s a new season once playoffs start,” Thorsby head coach Billy Jackson said. “We want to make a run, so we’ve got to stay focused and do things the right way. Whenever you lose focus in baseball, it bites you.”

Trent Jones swung the bat en route to a 3-for-4 performance that included five RBIs in Game 1.

The highlight of Jones’ night was when he launched a three-run home run over the centerfield fence.

Hits seemed to be falling throughout Thorsby’s lineup, and it is an opportune time with the postseason set to begin April 20.

“We swung it pretty well,” Jackson said. “We’ve got to get hot for the playoffs.”

Chase Birchfield and senior Ricky Sorcia were not far behind their teammate with four and three RBIs respectively.

Thorsby’s Jacob Lockhart made quick work on the mound, as he struck out 12 of the 20 batters he faced.

Sorcia continued to swing the bat with confidence in Game 2, going 2-for-2 with a pair of runs.

“Now matter if you play one game or two, you’ve got to have the same mentality,” Sorcia said. “It doesn’t matter who’s out there on the mound, you’ve got to go up to the plate strong.”

Peyton Carroll picked up the win in Game 2 after allowing no earned runs on six hits and three strikeouts in four innings. Cain Niece came in to secure the save for the Rebels.

As area champions, Thorsby will host Collinsville in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs beginning at 4:30 p.m. April 20.

“If we want that championship, we’ve got to stay on our ground and stay focused on it,” Sorcia said.