JASPER, Tenn. — The success of the past three seasons, and the experience of knowing how to close out close games, paid off for Marion County High School’s baseball team Monday night. Despite allowing two unearned runs on three errors, the Warriors rallied for a late run and held off Polk County for a 4-3 victory in the Region 3-AA semifinals.

“There’s no doubt our experience helped us win this one,” said junior third baseman Zephan Guyear, who was the only player on either side with two hits and provided the deciding RBI with a two-out single in the fifth.

The Warriors have won at least 29 games each of the past three years and at 30-8 are now just one win from tying the school’s single-season record, set during last year’s Spring Fling run. Marion will host McMinn Central for the region title Wednesday.

Marion appeared in control after three innings with unbeaten ace Justin Bell cruising. But ahead 3-0, Bell allowed a two-out walk and the next two Wildcats reached on Marion errors, cutting the lead to one. Brandon Bean’s two-out RBI single in the fourth tied the game.

After Guyear helped Marion retake the lead in the fifth, Bell again had to work his way out of trouble in the seventh when Steven Jackson led off with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.

“We had things going our way and then it started to snowball against us,” Warriors coach Steven Roberts said. “I knew we had our bulldog on the mound, and I told him to just bear down and get those last two outs.

“I was going to make them earn it if they were going to tie the game again. I didn’t want to call for a curve and it wind up in the dirt for a passed ball.”

Despite Jackson’s distraction at third, Bell (8-0) coaxed a popup and a flyout to center to secure the win.

“I was just thinking, ‘Relax and throw strikes,’” Bell said after allowing just four hits and striking out 10. “Even after they tied the game, I knew we would score again to get it back. I had confidence in the guys behind me to make a play and end it.

“It was a little scary in the end, but I really think it helps to have been through games like this and know we’ve won them.”

n McMinn Central 8, Hixson 5: At Englewood, Dylan Coleman went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs for the Chargers (20-14-1) in their semifinal victory. Britt Shaw earned the pitching win, striking out seven.