By Jackson Maxwell

THOMPSON STATION — Nothing but joy and excitement was seen spilling from the dugout as Independence recorded the final out of its first Region 6-AAA baseball championship Wednesday.

The Eagles defeated cross-county rival Ravenwood 10-2, clinching home field in Friday’s state sectionals.

Dalton Dickerson, in his third start of the season, allowed just two runs over six innings while striking out five against a Raptor squad that had won the District 11-AAA regular-season title.

“My main focus was to throw strikes and get that ball on the ground to let my defense go to work,” Dickerson said of his performance.

Offensively, Drew Blalock led the victorious Eagles with a 3-for-3 effort including a double. Blalock also drew a walk, reaching base in each of his four plate appearances.

“I was trying to get my hands through the ball,” he said. “I was seeing the ball really well, so I was getting my hands to it, which will allow me to get around it to constantly hit it.”

Blalock worked his way into the lineup in the later stages of the season, according to Independence coach Mike McLaury.

“Drew was inserted into the lineup about three weeks ago,” McLaury said. “It seems like almost every night he’s been big since we put him in.”

Logan Molnar added a pair of hits and drove in a run for the Eagles, while Ty Allen went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Creed McClellan drove in two runs.

The victory sets up a sectional clash between Independence and visiting Clarksville, which lost 9-8 to Beech in the Region 5-AAA finals. Ravenwood will travel Friday to Beech. Sectional winners advance to the Class AAA state tournament next week.