The race for the No. 1 spot in the Dixie Youth League is in full swing, however, one team got closer to taking it Wednesday night.

The Hurricanes and the Anteaters of U.C. Irvine met on the field, both looking to continue their success, yet, in the end, it was the Hurricanes who finished on top, with a 12-3 victory.

“We played as a team and did what we needed to do,” Hurricanes’ head coach Rickey Henderson said. “They came out here, and did what they needed to do to win.”

“I’m proud of all of them,” the coach added.

The win improves the Hurricanes to 10-3 on the season, while the loss drops Irvine to 5-8.

The Hurricanes got off to a hot start thanks to Cody Henderson and Morgan Sullivant, who helped their team score six runs in the first two innings.

On the mound for the Hurricanes was Cole Wilson.

Wilson through all five innings, only giving up three runs on four hits while striking out six.

Irvine got on the board in the bottom of the third inning, in the bottom of the third inning when Jerrell Lawson and Bradley Blair both crossed the plate.

In the next half inning, Dylan Sessions got those two runs back for the Hurricanes with a two-run homer over the left field wall that increased the lead to 9-3.

In the top of the fifth, the Hurricanes got on the board again thanks to the long ball, as Sullivant hit a three-run home run over the left field wall to give his team a 12-3 lead.

Irvine was able to get the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth inning, with time already expired, however, was only able to get one run home.

“The guys did a good job of doing what I told them to do, which is to know what you are going to do before you do it,” Henderson said after the win.

A big reason to the team’s success, according to the head coach, has been because of the older players: Marquese Christian, Henderson, Morgan Sullivant, Wilson and Ty Witherington.

“They have done a great job helping the younger guys out,” he said.

“They have really stepped up for us this season and led the way.”

Henderson finished the game going 3-3 at the plate, with three singles and three runs scored while Morgan Sullivant finished 3-3 as well, with two doubles and a home run.

For Irvine, Lawson finished 2-2 with a walk, a single and a double and two runs scored.

The game marked the end of the regular season for the Hurricanes while Irvine will wrap up its regular season Tuesday, June 1 against Cal. State at 5:45 p.m.