BRADFORD, Vt. — The brilliant pitching of Anastase Bourgeois, not to mention an explosive offense, was more than enough to help top-seeded Oxbow softball earn a berth in the VPA Division III state championship game.

The Olympians topped fourth-seeded Bellows Falls in the semifinals on Tuesday afternoon, 17-1, in front of the home fans. Bourgeois allowed just four hits while striking out 19 over seven innings.

Bourgeois and Noemi Rosa each slugged home runs for the Olympians, who had 11 hits as a team. Oxbow did it all, adding an error-free defensive effort to the good pitching and timely hitting.

“We came out of the gate hitting today, which was exciting,” Oxbow coach Chuck Simmons said. “The girls were all pumped up today. Anastase was on cruise control in the circle. I am so proud of these girls and how they support one another.”

Anastase Bourgeois, Mazie Bourgeois and Faith Eastman all had two hits for the Olympians. The O’s also stole eight bases, led by Eastman with three.

The Olympians will face Thetford in the state title game. The two did play once during the regular season, a 27-2 win by Oxbow at home against the Panthers on May 13.

Thetford 9, Vergennes 7

THETFORD — The second-seeded Panthers earned a hard-fought win over the Commodores to earn a berth in the VPA Division III state championship game.

Up next is a battle with undefeated top-seed Oxbow with a title on the line. The game is set for Saturday at 5 p.m. at Castleton University.

Baseball White River Valley 10, Vergennes 6

SOUTH ROYALTON — The Robby McShinsky show, both on the bump and at the plate, helped the No. 5 seed Wildcats punch a ticket to the VPA D-III state championship game.

It was the second straight nail-biting victory for the Wildcats, which was a 1-0 winner over Windsor in Monday’s quarterfinals despite not recording a hit. This semifinal win featured a complete game from McShinsky, who struck out four and walked just one. He also helped his own cause by going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.

“I’m so proud of my whole team. It took everything we had to win the last two games, and they’ve done such a great job this year,” WRV coach Devin Cilley said.

Donovan Craven drove in a pair and was 2-for-3 for the Wildcats. Tattin Griffin was 2-for-4 with a triple, scored twice and drove in one. Brayden Russ also scored twice while going 1-for-3. Sonny Snelling had a RBI double and scored. Loren Young and Wyatt Cadwell each had hits, Young picking up a RBI.

The Wildcats will now enjoy a grudge match with local rival Thetford in the D-III title game. The two played way back on April 25, a 9-2 win by the Panthers at WRV.

Thetford 11, Green Mountain 0

CHESTER, Vt. — The No. 3 seed Panthers disposed of No. 2 seed Green Mountain in this lopsided VPA Division III semifinal matchup.

Dempsey McGovern capped a three-run first inning for Thetford with a two-run single on his way to going 2-for-4. The Panthers added single runs in the seconds, third, fourth and fifth innings before closing it out with four in the sixth.

Tommy Amber was 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Nolan Pepe had a hit, walked twice, scored twice and drove in a run. Starting pitcher Xander Oshoniyi was 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored.

Oshoniyi tossed the first five innings, striking out six while allowing just one hit and one walk. JD Farrell tossed an inning of relief.

Thetford now advances to face White River Valley in the state championship game. The rivals meet on Saturday at 11 a.m. at UVM’s Centennial Field.