By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

HOOVER — The Spain Park High School baseball team overcame an early deficit after posting a pair of big innings in a 10-4 win over Vestavia Hills in the deciding third game in the second round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A playoffs April 28.

Spain Park will face Pelham in the third round of the Class 6A playoffs May 4-5.

The Rebels jumped out to a 3-1 lead following the first inning, but the Jaguars scored four runs in the second inning and five runs in the third inning to coast to victory.

Grant Veteto lined a two-run double to center field to cap the second-inning rally.

Mikey White, Paul Angel and Veteto sparked the third-inning outburst with RBI singles in the inning.

Josh Close led the Jaguars offensively as he finished 3-for-4 at the plate. Close drove in two runs and scored two runs in the victory.

Veteto finished 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in four runs. Angel, who drove in two runs and scored two runs, went 2-for-4 at the plate. White, who drove in one run and scored one run, finished 1-for-1 at the plate.

Jon Sumner finished 1-for-3 at the plate and scored one run. Dustin Cowart went 1-for-4 at the plate and scored one run. Josh Rich scored one run in the win.

Colton Freeman earned the win on the mound after giving up four runs, including just one earned run, on two hits with eight strikeouts and eight walks.

Rich finished with one strikeout without giving up a run or a hit in 2 1/3 innings in relief.