For the second consecutive year, the Inland Valley Pirates have eliminated the top seeded Solana Beach Cardinals. 

The Pirates won 5-1 Thursday at Cal Poly Pomona.

Inland Valley took a 1-0 lead in the third and added four more in the fifth.

Solana Beach scored once in the seventh on a Frankie Scalzo RBI.

The Pirates were led by Nic Hernandez, who finished 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Jacob Taylor added two hits and knocked in one RBI and scored once.

Cade Kirkemo went six strong innings and earned the win. Kirkemo allowed no runs on five hits and struck out four.

The Pirates move on to the 7 p.m. game against the loser of the OC Surf vs Ventura County Pirates matchup.