Top high school performers for May 18

Who moved the needle on the local high school sports scene on Thursday? We have the top standouts right here based on results reported to The Commercial Appeal.

BASEBALL

ECS has been the top Division 2-A team locally and now the Eagles will get a chance at their sixth state title after sweeping Franklin Road Academy 9-0 and 9-3. Houston Harding drove in four runs and pitched a complete-game shutout in the opener while Dawson Williams tripled and drove in four runs to back a good start from Collin Jones in the second. ECS will take a 28-4 record to Murfreesboro.

Harding also advanced to next week's D2-A tournament, getting a big day from Casey Harford to defeat Davidson Academy 6-1 in a decisive Game 3 on the road. Harford hit a two-run home run for the second consecutive day and picked up the victory, running his record to 7-2.

And St. George's also advanced, defeating Battle Ground Academy to give Shelby County three of the four teams in the field.

Jared Shemper pitched a complete-game one-hitter as CBHS defeated top-seeded Pope John Paul II, 6-0 to force a deciding Game 3 Friday at CBHS. Weston Bizzle homered for the defending Division 2-AA state champs after pitching well in the opener but losing, 2-1.

In late Wednesday action, Briarcrest advanced to the Division 2-AA tournament, sweeping Nashville Ensworth 6-0 and 4-0. Connor Shamblin was 3 for 3 with a triple and two RBI in the opener. Trey Harrington also had three hits and got the save in relief of Hugh Fisher, who scattered six hits over six innings. Shamblin, Parker Hubbard and Harrington then combined to hold the Tigers to two hits in Game 2. Shamblin struck out nine in 5.1 innings.

SOFTBALL

Briarcrest joined West Region rival St. Benedict in the Division 2-AA softball tournament, beating Brentwood Academy for the second straight day, 9-4. Makenzie Bradford hit a three-run homer to power the Saints' 12-hit attack. Evyn Graham also had three hits and drove in two runs.

There will be no local team in the D2-A tournament after Donelson Christian eliminated host Tipton-Rosemark, 1-0 and 3-1. Harding was also eliminated.

SOCCER

Kingsbury got an overtime goal from Jose Martinez off an assist from Brayan Romero and defeated Bartlett, 1-0 in the Region 7-AAA championship game. The Falcons — who are one victory away from their first trip to state as a AAA school — host Collierville at Melrose Stadium on Saturday in the sectionals while the Panthers travel to Region 8 champ Houston.

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.