By ALEX SPONSELLER

The top-seeded Bishop Hendricken baseball team topped visiting South Kingstown 6-1 in Game 1 of the Division I Semifinals at home on Tuesday afternoon.

The Hendricken bats got to work early, posting three runs in the first inning when the top four batters all reached base. Jack LaRose knocked in a pair of runs while Brandyn Durand added one as well to take the 3-0 lead.

Although the Rebels would add a run in the second inning, the Hawks bats stayed hot and would score two more runs in the fifth via Brandyn Durand and Gian Carroccio, then another in the sixth when LaRose hit a sacrifice fly.

Sophomore pitcher Ryan Thompson got the start for Hendricken while Griffin Cain came on in relief. The pair had solid outings, allowing a combined five hits. The Hendricken defense also came up big, turning a pair of double plays and picking off a Rebel baserunner at first base.

“I trust my defense.  I just wanted to throw the ball in the zone, throw strikes. I trust them 100 percent, no matter where the ball is I trust them to make a play on it,” Crain said, who entered the game in a one-out jam but would escape on a double play on the first batter.

“It gives our team confidence knowing that we can work our way out of jams and it will give us some momentum moving forward. It’s very exciting, I just wanted to give our team the best chance to win,” added Thompson.

Despite limited innings on the mound this year, Crain delivered 2 2/3 innings of solid work in relief to keep the SK bats cold.

“He hasn’t pitched a lot, but we have a lot of confidence in Griff and he throws strikes. We turned two double plays which was huge for us. That is a pitcher‘s best friend,” said Hendricken coach Ed Holloway.

Holloway was also pleased with Thompson’s performance and has seen growth in the young hurler’s game throughout the spring.

“We have great confidence in him because he has gotten better each time he’s been out. He got off to a slow start but has steadily improved and pitched really well his last two starts. We were hoping to get a strong outing from him which we did,” said Holloway.

Game 2 of the semifinals is slated for Thursday afternoon at South Kingstown. Game 3 will be back at Hendricken on Friday if necessary.