On a rain-soaked day that made it hard to believe one baseball game could be played -- let alone three -- the Warrior Classic baseball tournament held its semifinal and consolation round games Sunday at Maxwell Field in Wildwood.

In the winners' bracket, Middle Township advanced to the final with a 10-0 victory in five innings over Wildwood Catholic. Scott DeCecco struck out eight batters and came within one strike of a no-hitter as he easily improved to 4-1 on the season. He also added a two-run single during a five-run first inning for the Panthers (8-3). Ricky Bailey had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored  and Aidan Nichols added two hits and an RBI for the winners.

In the first consolation game, Wildwood stayed alive in the double-elimination tournament with a 12-2 five-inning victory over Lower Cape May. Wildwood scored four runs in the first inning to take an early lead before putting the game away with a seven-run fourth inning. Rick Palmer and Luke Bottoms each had three hits and an RBI and Curtis Gift and Eddie Lopizzo each added a hit and two RBIs for the Warriors. Steve Bolle pitched a complete game and allowed two runs for the win. Ryan Alexander hit a two-run double for Lower (3-10).

In the second consolation game, Wildwood pulled out a 5-2 victory over Wildwood Catholic to advance to the title game. Curtis Gift provided the big blow with a long three-run home run to left field -- his sixth homer of the season -- to give the Warriors a 3-0 lead in the fifth. After Catholic struck back for two runs in the top of the sixth, Wildwood added some insurance by scoring a pair of runs on a passed ball with the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning. Rick Palmer struck out six and allowed no earned runs over six innigns to get the win, while Steve Bolle struck out the side in the seventh to get the save. Gift's three RBIs give him 29 for the season. Wildwood improved to 6-10, while Wildwood Catholic dropped to 3-7.

Wildwood is scheduled to meet Middle on Monday at 4 p.m. (weather permitting, of course) in the first of what could be two title games. Middle wins the tournament title with a victory, while Wildwood would force an ultimate championship game at 7 p.m. with a win in the afternoon contest.