No. 3-seeded Choco Dry Cleaners has deprived fans the opportunity of a rematch between the Washington Junior Babe Ruth League’s top-two seeds after a 7-2 victory over PCS Phosphate on Wednesday.

Carried by starter Marshall Medlock and solid defensive play, Chocowinity contained one of the league’s strongest lineups, holding PCS to just seven hits and one walk. Medlock, who tossed six innings, struck out four and trusted his defense to make the plays behind him. For the most part, it did.

“We always tell them that when the defense plays, that dictates everything,” said Chocowinity coach Jeff Smith. “You have to be smart, you have to play with heart. We needed to play good defense and swing at good pitches and the guys did that today.”

On top of consistent defensive play, the No. 3 seed was also aggressive on the base paths, taking advantage of the absence of regular catcher Cooper Anderson. Choco Dry Cleaners swiped seven bases and had a constant flow of runners in scoring position, which resulted in a series of critical RBIs down the stretch.

Chris Sulc and Tripp Bonner led off the game with back-to-back singles, giving PCS a one-run advantage just minutes into the contest. But after Medlock found a rhythm, he settled down and held the opposition scoreless for the next five frames by pounding the strike zone.

“He was on, hitting his spots — inside, outside, low, high,” Smith said. “He had a great changeup tonight and that’s basically what he threw — two seam, four seam and changeup. He just did a great job tonight.”

Choco Dry Cleaning quickly erased Washington’s slender lead in the bottom of the first, as two walks by Chris Sulc, a double from Medlock and an infield single from Josh Toler produced two runs.

In the third, Medlock roped a single to left field and Tripp Bonner, who relieved Sulc after two innings, proceeded to walk the next two batters. And following a couple long foul balls, Carlos Casiano took an inside pitch to opposite field, scoring Medlock and Toler.

Medlock retired the side in the top of the sixth with two strikeouts, injecting life in the crowd and, apparently, his team.

“I was feeling great,” Medlock said after the game. “Pitching is really a strong suit for me this year and it’s been looking great. I’m just glad I came with it today and threw strikes. Our defense really had my back and that’s what put us through. “

Ryan Kolibabek and Carter Barnes opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Kolibabek came around to score on an infield error. Josh Toler launched an RBI single to left and Jerry Rivera followed with a towering double to right. When the dust settled, Chocowinity held a 7-1 lead.

Toler came on to pitch the seventh for Choco Dry Cleaners and gave up one run on a pair of singles, but he was able to close the game out.

With the win, PCS finishes the season 11-3, while Choco Dry Cleaners improves to 10-4 and will face top-seeded Coastal Car Connection in the championship game on Thursday at the Susiegray McConnell Complex in Washington.

“I expect a quality team that we’re going to have to come out with our ‘A’ game to beat,” Smith said. “It’s going to take a lot of prayer. The guys are going to have to have each other’s backs, play good defense and the pitchers are going to have to hit their spots. We’ll see what happens.”

Coverage of Thursday’s championship game will be available in Saturday’s edition.