The Green Valley Pirates are Zone 13 High School baseball champions for the third time in school history.

Carson Epp struck out 14 batters in six innings of work as the Pirates defeated the Steinbach Regional Secondary School 9-0 in the zone final Wednesday in Mitchell.

"It means a lot for our school," answered Epp when asked what it meant to bring the championship banner back to Grunthal. "Playing against a AAAA school, you don't get that chance very much. We played very well."

"Our guys struggled," said Sabres coach Clint Brandt who watched his team scratch out just three hits off Epp. "His fastball was very good and his command was good too. That's a pretty tough combination."

Epp, Adam Reutter and Drayden Kurbatoff had three hits each for the Pirates who grabbed an early 3-0 lead and then plated six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game away.

Green Valley coach Jason Epp said there were still some nervous moments even with that 3-0 advantage.

"You got to give props to Kalen Hildebrand on the other side. He pitched a great game. Him and Carson go back all the way to Pee Wee. There were battles between Grunthal and Steinbach and I believe Kalen was something like 5-0 or 6-0 against Carson. They have epic battles and I think this is the first time Carson has beat him head-to-head. You've got to give him respect when he's on the mound. He's going to throw strikes. I think his pitch count was still low and he's in the sixth inning."

Tyrel Reimer recorded the final three outs for the Pirates.

Green Valley downed Ecole Edward Schreyer School of Beausejour 15-7 and the SRSS beat Gabrielle Roy 25-4 in the semifinals.

Les Roys took the third place game 13-3 over the Barons.

The Provincial High School Baseball Championship will be held June 1st, 2nd & 3rd in Altona.