JASPER, Tenn. — Before a single Marion County batter had been retired the game was practically decided. The Warriors scored five runs in the bottom of the first off three walks and two McMinn Central errors, chasing the Chargers’ starting pitcher before he had recorded an out in Wednesday’s Region 3-AA championship game.

Taking advantage of McMinn Central errors, the Warriors’ only RBI hit in the first-inning was Ben Murphy’s single. Marion added a pair of runs in each of the next two innings, capped by Justin Bell’s two-out, two-run double in the third, and rolled to a 10-3 victory for its second straight region title.

“I think we came into this game knowing what we needed to do, and we did it,” said Bryson Helm, who was 2-3 with two RBIs and was Marion’s only multi-hit player. “We knew the championship was on the line and were going to do whatever it took to get it.”

The Warriors, who tied the school record for wins they set last season with 31, will host Upperman on Friday at 3 p.m. EDT in a state sectional, while McMinn Central must travel to Goodpasture.

“We knew from scouting reports that if we could put it in play they were prone to making errors,” Warriors coach Steven Roberts said. “We applied some pressure on them early, and anytime you can get a big lead early you’re in good shape.”

With a big early lead, Roberts was able to pull starting pitcher Hershel Bettis in the second inning to rest him in case he is needed Friday. Lucas Loyd, who took over on the mound for Marion, finished the game, not allowing any runs until the seventh when Dylan Coleman belted a two-run home run.

“Hershel really wasn’t getting his curve over for strikes, and I didn’t want to see a big early lead turn into a close game,” Roberts said. “When you get a big lead early, all it takes is a couple of walks and a big hit or two and you’re back in fight.

“They’re a good fastball hitting team, so we had to be able to throw more at them than that. I knew momentum was huge for us, and I didn’t want to lose it.”