Andrew Grimm TURNING TWO — Brooke shortstop Gino Provenzano attempts to turn a double play against North Marion.

Right fielder Zac O’Mery fired a perfect throw to catcher Aiden Provenzano to cut down the tying run and provide the final out, allowing Brooke to hang on for a thrilling 5-4 victory over North Marion in the opening round of the Class AAA, Region 1 tournament.

The Bruins (15-17-1) opened up a 5-2 lead after a three-run third inning and it ended up being just enough.

“It was a fun ball game, this time of year is really tough,” Brooke head coach Doug Costain said. “Zac has a great arm and he loves to show it off, he’s probably in double digits in outfield assists this season, so we weren’t shocked to see him make that throw.

“We don’t make anything easy, we played one of the toughest schedules around and these guys battle. We feel like we’re peaking at the right time.”

Andrew Grimm ON THE MOUND — Brooke starter Tyson Klick fires a pitch.

O’Mery also had two hits and an RBI in the game, an RBI single that tied the game in the second inning. Blaine Beatty and Kamden Sperringer hit back-to-back RBI singles in the third inning to break a 2-2 tie, then Ty Sperringer added to the lead with an RBI fielder’s choice. Gino Provenzano had an RBI in the first inning.

The Bruins got a solid start from sophomore Tyson Klick, who struck out two and walked four in 4 1/3 innings. Nikos Palavis then came on and fired the final 2 2/3 for a save, striking out three.

With the win, Brooke advances to take on No. 2 seed East Fairmont on the road today in the second round. The winner of that game is one win away from the state tournament, while the loser will take on North Marion Wednesday in an elimination game.

“We’re going to go down there and give it our best shot, we played them in the regular season and it was a good game,” Costain said.

WVSSAC Class AAA Tournament

Region 1 Opening Round

At Brooke High School

No. 3 Brooke 5, No. 6 North Marion 4

NM 1-0-1 0-1-0 1 — 4 7 1

B 1-1-3 0-0-0 x — 5 9 1

NORTH MARION (3-19): Bland (LP, 6IP, 5R, 5ER, 9H, 8K, 2BB) and Getz. Bland S; Kucish 2S; Verbosky 2S, 2RBIs; Waskis S, 2RBIs; Braham S.

BROOKE (15-17-1): Klick (WP, 4 1/3IP, 3R, 2ER, 5H, 2K, 4BB), Palavis (SV, 2 2/3IP, 1R, 1ER, 2H, 3K, 1BB) and A. Provenzano. T. Sperringer S, RBI; O.Mery 2S, RBI; G. Provenzano S; Lathem 2S; Engle S; Beatty S, RBI; K. Sperringer S, RBI.