Photo by Nick Henthorn Wheeling Central’s Steven Brodegard throws a pitch Thursday during the Maroon Knights’ 11-0 playoff victory over Tyler Consolidated at the JB Chambers I-470 Sports Complex.

WHEELING — In their previous game against Tyler Consolidated in the W.Va. Class AA Region 1 Section 1 tournament, Wheeling Central head coach Todd Cover lamented his team’s sluggish start, though Central did end up winning the day, 8-2.

Safe to say those grievances were addressed on Thursday, where the Maroon Knights put up six runs in the first inning on their way to a decisive 11-0 victory over Tyler in five innings at the JB Chambers I-470 Sports Complex.

With the win, Wheeling Central advances out of their section, and will face the champion of Region 1 Section 2, where Williamstown needs one win to advance out of their bracket, playing Ravenswood on Friday. Ravenswood would need to beat Williamstown twice consecutively to advance.

Steven Brodegard pitched all five innings for Wheeling Central, the junior nearly untouchable in allowing just one hit in the shutout. He struck out nine and walked three.

Four Maroon batters had multi-RBI days in a game where Central had seven extra-base hits.

Gary Hatfield had two hits, a triple and a homerun, in tallying three RBI and three runs scored. Brady Ernest finished with three hits, including two doubles, and three RBI.

Koy Lipinski tripled and had two RBI. Matt Criniti totaled two RBI too.

Central had six stolen bases on Thursday, with Braxton Billick, Hatfield, Ernest, Kade Koroneos, Luke Tiu and Andy Bailer all swiping bags.

Wheeling Central advanced to the regional finals last year, where they played Williamstown in a dramatic series that the Yellow Jackets eventually clinched with a nine-inning, 6-5 victory. The Maroon Knights will wait and see if a rematch is in the cards after Friday.