Cashion’s bid for a third straight appearance in a state championship baseball game was derailed by Latta.

The second-ranked Panthers knocked off No. 3 Cashion 5-3 Friday in the Class 2A-I state semifinals at Shawnee.

The loss ended the defending state champion Wildcats’ season with a 25-8 mark.

Latta went on to beat No. 4 Colbert 6-5 on Saturday for its eighth spring baseball state championship, but first since 2005.

Cashion was in the semifi nals for the sixth straight year and had won in its last two appearances to make the title game.

However, Gestin Pollard was able to keep the Wildcats’ potent bats quiet for much of the game.

Senior Kyle Yowell was doing the same for Cashion.

The right-hander held the Panthers to just one run through four innings.

Latta loaded the bases on Yowell with just one out in the fifth inning.

After a strikeout, Yowell hit Chrstian Wolfe to bring home a run, making it 2-0.

Landon Fortner led off the sixth with a homer for a 3-0 lead.

Yowell limited the damage to that and in the bottom half was able to give himself a little bit of help.

Kellen Smith led off the bottom of the frame with a single and that was followed by a Brian Nabavi double.

Ryder West, running for Smith, scored on a passed ball and Yowell’s groundout brought home Nabavi to bring Cashion within 3-2.

Rider Lykins followed with a single, but Pollard retired the next two Wildcats to maintain his lead.

Latta got the runs back in the top of the seventh.

Two of the first three batters singled for the Panthers with the latter bouncing off the knee of Yowell on the mound.

That play sent Yowell to the turf, but he eventually stayed in the game.

Latta was able to tack on a pair of RBI singles.

Cashion made one final charge in the bottom of the seventh as Garet McKeever led off with a triple and scored on Aidan Berry’s sacrifice fly.

Ryker Johnson followed with a walk, but two fly outs ended Cashion’s rally and the game.

Yowell pitched seven innings, gave up nine hits and four earned runs. He struck out four without walking a batter.

Pollard also went the distance for Latta and surrendered six hits. He struck out three and walked two.

Six different Wildcats had one hit apiece - Smith, Nabavi, Yowell, Lykins, McKeever and Johnson.