SMALL-SCHOOL BASEBALL: McClain O’Connor’s inside-the-park homer keys Lincoln County win

McClain O’Connor hit a two-run, inside-the-park homer in the bottom of the fifth to lift Lincoln County’s baseball team to a 3-2 victory over Pershing County in the opening round of the Division III state tournament Thursday at Wooster High in Reno.

Lincoln County (20-7) will play Yerington (28-2) in the winners’ bracket final at 1 p.m. Friday.

McKinley O’Connor led off the fifth with a walk, and McClain O’Connor followed with a deep drive over the center fielder’s head. McKinley O’Connor beat the relay throw home on a close play, and McClain O’Connor, who was only a few steps behind his brother, also slid in safely to put the Lynx on top, 3-1.

McClain O’Connor tossed a complete game, allowing five hits and two walks to go along with five strikeouts. He also went 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs.

Nick Vincent was 2-for-3, and Mike Wood singled in a run in the first inning for Lincoln County.

Yerington 10, The Meadows 5 — Sam Kaplan went 3-for-4 with a double in the Mustangs’ opening-round loss to the Lions at Wooster High.

Nabeel Afzal was 2-for-2, and Adam Martinez added a double for The Meadows (15-9-1), which will face Pershing County (23-19) in an elimination game at 10 a.m. Friday at Wooster.

DIVISION IV

Indian Springs 12, Mineral County 8 — Austin Thomas went 3-for-5 with two doubles as the Thunderbirds (13-6) topped the Serpents (21-8) in the opening round at Reed High in Sparks.

Indian Springs advances to face Pahranagat Valley in the winners’ bracket final at 1 p.m. Friday at Reed.

Devon Sickler was 2-for-5 with a double, and winning pitcher Ryan Frank was 2-for-5. Manny Zavala added a triple for the Thunderbirds, who led 7-0 after two innings.

Pahranagat Valley 19, Wells 9 — Christian Higbee and winning pitcher Tabor Maxwell each had two hits and three RBIs as the Panthers stormed back from an early 8-3 deficit to rout the Leopards in five innings at Reed.

Pahranagat Valley scored six runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 9-8 lead and never looked back.

Steven Wright had two hits for Wells, which committed 10 errors.