The defending champion New Orleans Boosters had a one-two punch at the plate and on the mound during an 8-1 victory over the Zanesville Junior Pioneers on Thursday at Roxbury Park.
The Boosters earned a semifinal berth in the 74th annual AAABA Tournament via the victory.
New Orleans’ Tyler McManus smacked two home runs and had three hits as the Boosters pulled away. He had solo shots in the sixth and eighth innings.
Meanwhile, Daniel Dugas pitched a complete game, allowing five hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.
New Orleans will play the New Brunswick Matrix in Friday’s semifinal round.
Alex Galy and Blake Freeman each had three hits, with Freeman providing a key two-run double in the fourth after Zanesville had tied the game at 1.