For the third straight year, and the second under coach Trice Powers, the Pioneer baseball team is heading the region tournament.

Warren County clinched a berth Tuesday night with a 7-1 win over White County. The victory sets up a showdown with the Cookeville Cavaliers Wednesday night for the District 6AAA championship. Action is set to start at 6 p.m. in Cookeville.

Trace Adcock picked up the win Tuesday, pitching four innings without allowing a hit. Braden Bottoms pitched the final three innings for the save, including striking out the final two batters. The duo combined to throw a two-hitter in the clinching game.

The Pioneers broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning. It was the team's third win in five matchups with the Warriors this year. 

Here are three quick takeaways from Tuesday's thrilling victory:

THE THROW

Before the Pioneers added some insurance in the sixth inning, their defense was what kept White County from gaining the upper hand. No play was bigger than Ethan Smith hosing a runner at home to end the fourth, completing a double play.

Trailing 2-0, White County was threatening after two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases. The Warriors looked poised to get on the board on a flyball to left field, but Smith had other plans.

"Before every play, I try to have an idea of what's going to happen. Before the play, coach Smith did a great job with the scouting report and had me in the right spot," said Smith. "Trace did a great job getting an easy popout. I told myself 'Get behind it and throw it home.' I was trying to hit the cut-off man.

"The part that gets overlooked was the scoop by Braden. He made a great scoop and tag."

Bottoms, who came in to the pitch the following inning, shifted the credit back on his senior teammate.

"I was getting my mind right to finish the play. I had confidence Ethan was going to make a good throw," said Bottoms. "I aligned myself and there it was, right on the money."

It was a close play, one that drew the White County coach from the dugout in protest. Smith and Bottoms had different opinions on the call.

"I couldn't tell. Honestly, I did not (think we got him out), but I couldn't see from my angle. The umpire got me excited," said Smith.

"I knew I had him. My confidence was high," added Bottoms.

DEPTH FOR DAYS

Most expected the Pioneers to rely heavily on its senior class this year. Warren County got plenty from its seniors Tuesday (Smith, Will Cantrell, Hunter Adams and Dylan Ward combined for five hits, four runs and three RBIs), but the team's depth was on full display in the third game of the series.

Adcock, a junior, had started just four games before holding White County without a hit for four innings. Bottoms, a sophomore, was more than ready to finish what Adcock started.

"I wanted the ball for sure in a game like this. My adrenaline was going and my arm felt good," said Bottoms. "I have to thank the defense behind me. They made plays."

Westin Wilson, another sophomore, had a big bloop hit in the sixth inning, starting the five-run frame that eventually helped put the game out of reach.

Underclassmen Heath Kuykendall, Omari Harris and Ryland Holder were also in the lineup.

When Brooks Helton (a potential District 6AAA player of the year) went down with a season-ending injury, the Pioneers could have taken a step back. It didn't happen due to the team's "next man up" mentality.

"Some of it (the depth) is a testament to how we played the kids early on, but some of it was forced by injury," said Powers. "When guys go down, you either sink or guys are going to rise to the occasion. The kids are rising."

Adcock's performance in a pressured-packed situation was nothing that surprised Powers.

"Trace has thrown well all year, we just haven't had him in spots like this. He showed what he's been doing," said Powers.

Getting the victory without having to dig deeper in the rotation could have big ramifications for the rest of the postseason.

Ward (3-2, 11 ERs in 28.2 district innings) has been the team's top starter since Helton was sidelined. He should be in line to start in Wednesday's championship game, and could also be available when the region begins next Monday, May 13.

GAME OF INCHES

Al Pacino would be proud of how the Pioneers put the game away in the sixth inning. Warren County was inches away from having to protect a 2-1 lead in the seventh, but instead rolled off five runs.

With one out and two on, Adcock tried to steal third. On a high throw, Adcock slid under the tag, but nearly went too far. He was able to twist and keep one toe on the bag,  putting the Pioneers two runners in scoring position.

Wilson followed with a bloop single, one that fell between three White County players.

Smith added an RBI single later, a liner that tipped off the third baseman's glove and trickled into left field.

By the time Ward spun the White County centerfielder in a circle on a two-run double, it was 7-1 and the series was all but over.