Pungo Christian Academy established an early five-run lead and coasted to an 11-1 five-inning victory over Community Christian in Belhaven Tuesday night to advance to the second round of the NCISAA state playoffs.

The Raiders thoroughly dominated the Cyclones, racking up nine hits, while limiting Community Christian to only three. Pungo quickly jumped ahead, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first. The Cyclones managed to score a run of their own in third, but the Raiders responded immediately with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Pungo tacked on another run in both the fourth and fifth innings to close out the game.

Walton O’Neal, who finished the contest with three RBI, led the Raiders at the plate. Ben Simmons, Miller O’Neal and Brent Benson chipped in with two RBI apiece. Simmons also had a game-high three hits on Tuesday.

Not content to just affect the game with a bat in their hands, Raiders’ pitchers Miller O’Neal and Simmons combined to shut down Community Christian’s bats. Both struck out three Cyclones each.

For the second round of the playoffs, Pungo will travel to Merry Hill today to face Lawrence Academy at 5 p.m.