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James Sawyer combined with two other pitchers on a two-hitter as Northside advanced in the 1A state baseball tournament. 9teve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

Senior Cutter Williams pitched a complete game for Southside. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

Southside’s Luke Perry bats against Northside. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

Senior Jamie Corprew had a base hit and scored a run in the third round playoff win over Southside. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)

Junior James Sawyer combined with senior teammates Hunter Chrismon and Brandon Arthur on a two-hitter as Northside advanced to the fourth round of the 1A state baseball tournament with a 5-0 home victory over country rival Southside Wednesday afternoon.

Chrismon took over for Sawyer with one out in the fourth inning and gave way to Arthur to begin the sixth. The trio combined for nine strikeouts with one walk and shut out their opponent for the second time in three post-season games. Northside has outscored their opponents 19-1 in the playoffs.

They are extremely dialed in right now and will accept any role to help us win,” coach Parker Boyd. “They are obviously loving pitching in the playoffs and we’re hitting enough to take some of the pressure off them. Each of them was under 50 pitches today, so they will be ready to go Friday.”

The third-seeded Panthers (19-5) took a 4-0 lead after three innings and plated their final run in the fourth, while limiting the #22 Seahawks (11-10) to four baserunners.

“Their pitching was outstanding, but I’m proud of the way our guys battled,” coach John Lohman said. ” Our season turned around when we beat Pamlico Co. and we stayed on that roll until today. It was a special moment to play our rivals this deep in the playoffs and we look forward to having most of our guys back next year.”

The Seahawks reeled off five straight victories before Tuesday and won the first two playoff games in program history.

Northside faces the winner of #2 Wilson Prep and #7 Roxboro Community Friday.

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