Staff photo / Neel Madhavan South Range’s Aidan English swings at a pitch Monday night against Champion in the Division III district semifinals at Niles.

NILES — South Range got its hits in early and quick Monday.

With how Champion starter Nate Holt was throwing, the Raiders knew they had to get their licks in before he settled in.

All three of South Range’s runs came with two outs on the board in the second and third innings. The first was thanks to an RBI base hit from Tyson Tarajack, then the second came on a bases-loaded walk after Shane Lindstrom was hit by a pitch. Aidan English then tacked on the third run with an RBI in the third inning.

Holt continued to throw better as the game wore on, but the damage had been done. The early runs were enough for the Raiders as they held on to beat Champion 3-1 Monday to advance to Wednesday’s Division III Niles district title game.

“We wanted to get on top early and didn’t do so in the first inning, but at least we were able to get on the board in the second inning,” said Raiders head coach Jim Hanek. “We knew we were up against a good pitcher, and I tip my cap to (Holt). After we got the three runs, (Holt) kind of settled in and was able to cruise through us.”

During the final three innings, the Raiders were only able to get on base once, which came when Michael Markulin reached on an error in the fourth. Otherwise, it was three-up, three-down for Holt, who finished with seven strikeouts and one walk.

“He pitched well enough to win tonight,” said Champion head coach Andrew Barker. “It’s tough that he’s not going to wear that jersey again. He gets stronger and stronger throughout (the game) and that’s what he’s done for us all year.”

Holt’s performance aside, English’s showing on the mound might’ve been even better. Including going 2-for-3 with his RBI at the plate, English recorded 12 strikeouts and three walks in five innings. Tarajack came in for the final two innings, and between the two, the Raiders gave up just three total hits to the Golden Flashes.

“You don’t win a lot of games scoring just one run,” Barker said. “Pitchers kept us off balance. Unfortunately we’ve struggled a lot hitting the ball this year. They threw hard and they hit their spots. You don’t put the ball in play with guys on base, you’re going to get beat.”

With the win, South Range improves to 21-2 on the season, while English is now 7-0 on the mound for the Raiders.

“It’s one game at a time and we’re fortunate to be in this position,” Hanek said. “The kids have worked hard and have earned the right to be in this position. I can’t say enough about (English), he did an absolutely fantastic job for us.”

Now, the Raiders will face Columbiana Wednesday at 5 p.m. for the district title. The Clippers defeated Springfield 2-0 Monday in the first semifinal game.

“(Columbiana) is a good ballclub — they’re well-coached and I expect them to play hard,” Hanek said. “We have to be able to match their intensity and it should be a good ballgame.”