Gilbert High watched host Perry poke home runs in the first and third innings Wednesday for an early lead. Gilbert took umbrage at that in its fourth at-bat, after taking notes the first three innings. The Tigers clubbed five extra-base hits and plated six runs in the fourth inning carrying them to a 7-3 Division I baseball victory over the Pumas at Perry High.

Both teams are going to the playoffs. No worries there. Gilbert is 19-7-1 overall and 13-2 in power-ranking games. The Tigers at worst be No. 5 when Thursday's power-rankings are released. Perry is 18-7, 11-4 prg. The Pumas were No. 6 Wednesday and could be on the very border of the top eight with three games left after the loss. The other teams in the top 10 in the D-I power-rankings at present are: Hamilton (15-1), Mesquite (13-3), Liberty (14-2), Horizon (14-2), Valley Vista (12-3), Mesa Mtn. View (12-4), Brophy Prep (10-5) and Corona del Sol (11-5).

What these teams are competing for with a week left in the regular season is a top-8 finish, which earns teams a first-round bye and second-round home game. Most importantly, a second-round game cuts the chances of a one-and-done postseason in half. Teams advancing to the final eight can lose twiceonce there before being eliminated.

Gilbert stayed one of the hottest teams in D-I with its explosive fourth inning. Solo homers by Jeremy McCuin (first inning) and Trevor Hauver (third) staked Perry to a 2-0 advantage before Gilbert found its power stroke.

Gilbert's Chase Merriman doubled to start the rally against Perry starter Zach Kingdeski. Merriman scored on Zach Meyer's triple. An out later the Tigers tied it at 2 on Zak Thomas' double. The next batter, Nick Manger, worked a 3-2 count and launched a go-head two-run homer to deep left. A double by Kohl Sanchez off reliever Jon Holler made it 5-2 and Matt Keppler capped the rally with a sacrifce fly scoring Sanchez.

Gilbert starter Jack Ruegge got helped out of jams with one run each in the first and third thanks to pickoffs in each inning. Ruegge had and easy fourth and fifth before being touched for a run in the sixth. He left after 5 1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and three earned runs. Cole Williams finiished up with 1  2/3 scoreless innings. The final outs came on a double play groundout.

Every Gilbert starter reached base via a hit, walk or hit by pitch and the Tigers struck out just once. Hauver, McCuin, Ryne Edmondson and Garrett Gahan had two hits apiece for Perry.

Gilbert plays one more game this week, hosting Mesa High on Friday at 7 p.m. Perry plays again Thursday night at 7 against archrival Basha at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (spring home of the Arizona Diamondbacks).