Panama City Beach, FL — Arnold Varsity Marlins stayed in it until the end, but Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish pulled away late in an 18-12 victory on Friday. Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish trailed 12-11 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Connor O'Brien doubled on a 3-2 count, scoring three runs. Cooper Moss drove in five runners in the loss. Moss drove in runs on a grand slam in the second and a single in the third. Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish captured the lead in the first inning when Nate Breeden drew a walk, scoring one run. Arnold Varsity Marlins knotted the game up at four in the top of the second inning. Sam Mudge drew a walk, scoring one run. After Arnold Varsity Marlins scored one run in the top of the third, Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish answered with one of their own. Arnold Varsity Marlins scored when Moss singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run. Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish then answered when Eli Blair induced Ryan Theobald to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored. Arnold Varsity Marlins notched eight runs in the second inning. Warrick Wilmot, Mudge, Moss, Brayden Black, and Wilmot all contributed in the big inning with RBIs. Ben Sompayrac led things off on the mound for Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish. The ace went one inning, allowing ten runs on seven hits and striking out one. Blair toed the rubber for Arnold Varsity Marlins. The lefthander allowed seven hits and nine runs over three and a third innings, striking out one. Ryan Laymon, Will May, Casey Morgan, and Josh Hess each entered the game as relief, throwing one inning, one inning, one-third of an inning, and one-third of an inning respectively. Arnold Varsity Marlins launched two home runs on the day. Moss put one out in the second inning. Christian Corona had a homer in the first inning. Arnold Varsity Marlins tallied 12 hits. Black, Moss, and Zane Monk all managed multiple hits for Arnold Varsity Marlins. Black went 4-for-5 at the plate to lead Arnold Varsity Marlins in hits. Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish tallied 13 hits in the game. Landon Lutterman, Breeden, Adam Osborn, and O'Brien each had multiple hits for Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish. Lutterman led Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish with three hits in six at bats. Lutterman led Knoxville Catholic Varsity Irish with two stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with five stolen bases.