Dynamite advanced to the championship round Thursday in the 12u/60 Cal Ripken state baseball tournament at the Surpise Recreation Complex, and Surprise won the championship series to take the 12u/70 title.

Surprise 14, RAMMS 10

Surprise 6, RAMMS 3

Isaac Steele opened the night with a home run Thursday and set the tone as the hard-hitting Surprise Rangers won the series the 3 games to 1.

One out later Jeremy DeMarr followed with another homer.

“We struggled a little at the plate the first night,’’ Surprise coach John Hemsley said. “That helped a lot. We were a lot more disciplined at the plate tonight.”

Surprise will advance to the 12u/ 70 regional in Long Beach, Calif. in late July. (Cal Ripken has two set of rules for 12u players. One with bases set 70 feet apart in which runners are allowed to lead off, etc. and the other with bases 60 feet apart in which runners can’t lead off.)

Surprise opened up a big lead in the first game, but RAMMS fought back. Hunter Besore scored two runs, Jeff Goebel doubled and scored twice, and Jack Foutz doubled and scored twice for RAMMS.

Surprise led 10-6 going into the sixth before tacking on four more after doubles by Drew Frazier and Anthony Sumrall.

Aaron Cook had a single for RAMMS as they managed four runs in the bottom of the sixth.

“I thought we were going to be able to put them away,’’ Hemsley said. “They never quit. They’re a tough team. My hat’s off to them.”

RJ Hall pitched a strong game for Surprise in the nightcap going into the sixth. DeMarr finished to earn a save.

Besore and Jack Foutz gave RAMMs a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the second game. Besore singled, stole second and eventually scored when he tagged form third on a foul out.

Foutz hit a hard shot that was misplayed and he circled the bases for inside the park homer.

Nick Espinoza tripled and scored in the bottom of the first for Surprise to make it 2-1.

Surprise took command in the third scoring five times aided by errors. DeMarr doubled, Chris LaBorin and AJ Medrano singled and Rudy Espinoza hit a sacrifice fly.

RAMMS rallied in the sixth.Goebel bunted his way on and score Ryan Saltonstall’s sacrifice fly. Foutz drew a walk. DeMarr came in and put out the fire.

“We played a good game,’’ RAMMS coach Keith Vercauteren said. “They just played better. That’s baseball”

Dynamite 7, Scottsdale 6

Dynamite third baseman Dalton Elliott made a diving catch on a fly behind the base to end the game and keep Dynamite’s hopes alive in the 12u/60 state tournament.  Scottsdale had the tying run at third base.

Elliott and Damon Miller scored in the top of the sixth to break a 5-5 tie,

Dynamite advanced to play undefeated Somerton in the double-elimination tournament. The game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Surprise Recreation Complex. If Dynamite wins, a second game will follow.