Defending state champion Ripley is headed back to Championship Saturday.

The Vikings used a four-run third inning and another strong pitching performance to defeat top-seeded Bridgeport, 5-1, in the Class AAA state semifinals at Jack Cook Field.

Landon Meadows was outstanding on the mound, working into the seventh inning while allowing just one run on six hits. WVU commit Bryson Casto came on in relief and retired all three batters he faced to seal the victory.

Ripley broke a scoreless tie in the third inning when a sacrifice bunt by Casto led to two runs after a throwing error. The Vikings added two more runs in the frame on a sacrifice fly from Parker Keller and an RBI double by Meadows.

John Cummings paced the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate as Ripley advanced to its second consecutive state championship game.

Bridgeport cut the deficit to 4-1 in the sixth inning, but Ripley answered with an insurance run in the seventh and never looked back.

The Vikings will play for another Class AAA state championship on Saturday evening in Huntington.