KEARNEY, Neb. - Papillion-La Vista coach Jim Thomas is calling it quits after 39 seasons of Legion baseball, and he's going out on top.

The bats came alive for the Pinnacle Bank seniors, defeating the Millard South PrimeTime Patriots convincingly in back-to-back games to win the Class A American Division state championship at Memorial Field Wednesday night.

Since the PrimeTime Patriots were the last remaining unbeaten team in the state tourney, Pinnacle Bank had to win twice.

After a seven-inning 19-8 win in Game 1, Papillion-LaVista (45-8) kept the momentum rolling with a 15-5 victory to clinch the title.

"It's a lot of fun for me, but being able to see these kids succeed is what it's all about," Thomas said. "It's nice to see them reaping the harvest of all the hard work they've done."

During Game 2, Pinnacle Bank found itself trailing 5-0 through five innings before it cranked up the offense with a five-run rally to tie the game in the sixth.