SALINA — Defending 4A state baseball champion McPherson knocked off Larned/La Crosse 8-3 in Thursday's opening round of the 4A state baseball championship. Larned finishes with a 14-8 record.

McPherson (19-4) was sparked by Teegan Haines with a homer, a double and two runs batted home. Jaytin Gumm, Hunter Alvord, Jaret Myers and Ian Razak also drove home runs.

Haines homered in the first inning. Alvord delivered a hit-and-run RBI single and Haines followed with an RBI single for a 3-0 lead after two innings.

The Indians (14-8) converted three McPherson errors into a 3-run fourth inning. Caden Morgan scored on an Eian Sanders single after reaching on a hit-by-pitch. Ty Smith walked and scored on Deacon Martin's groundout. Sanders scored when the Bullpups committed two errors for a 3-3 tie after 31/2 innings.

But McPherson answered off Larned pitcher Brady Hope after leadoff batter Gavin Richardson singled after a foul pop fly was dropped. Richardson scored on a Myers single. Brock Richardson scored when the base hit was misplayed. Myers scored on an Ian Razak double for a 6-3 lead. 

Larned/La Crosse 000 300 0 — 3 2 5

McPherson 102 311 x — 8 10 3

Hope and Shaver. Myers, Alvord (3), Razak (4), Allen (5), Fetsch (7) and Feil. W—Razak. 5-0. L—Hope, 4-3. 2B—M—Gumm, Alvord, Haines, Razak. HR—M—Haines. 

4A SALINA

SEMIFINALS—Paola 15-8 vs. McPherson 19-4; Chanute 15-8 vs. Fort Scott 17-6, 1; FIRST ROUND—Paola 5, Rock Creek 3; McPherson 8, Larned/La Crosse 3; Chanute 1, Clay Center 0; Fort Scott 3, Abilene 2