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CARY, N.C. – The Dana Hills baseball team made its presence known in the biggest high school tournament in the country with a 4-3 victory over Cullman (Alabama) on Wednesday afternoon in the National High School Invitational at the USA Baseball Training Center.

Dolphins ace Hans Crouse, considered one of the top major league pitching prospects in the nation, picked up the victory in his five-plus innings of work. He struck out nine.

“I feel our team is a big-game team and battled (Wednesday),” Crouse said. “They (Cullman) were a very gritty team.”

Dana Hills (7-6) advanced to the quarterfinals and will play Canterbury (Fort Myers, Fla.) on Thursday.

The Dolphins were tied, 3-3, in the fifth inning, but took the lead on a double by senior Jeremy Ciolek that scored Zach Waters.

“It was an all-team win and everyone was involved,” Dana Hills coach Tom Faris said.

“This has been a very positive experience from the get-go, and USA Baseball is treating us like big leaguers.”

Dana Hills freshman reliever Dante Jackson pitched the final 1 2/3 innings and was backed by a game-ending diving catch by right fielder Thomas Van Hoomissen with two runners on base.

In other NHSI games Wednesday:

Orange Lutheran 7, Merritt Island (Florida) 3: The Lancers, who are ranked in the county No. 2, broke a 3-3 tie in the fourth inning with four runs.

The Lancers (9-1) advanced to the quarterfinals Thursday and will play Trinity Christian (North Carolina).

Senior Tristan Hanoian led the Lancers with three hits, and junior Zachary Lew and senior Zach Busalacchi added two hits each.

Winder-Barrow (Georgia) 3, Huntington Beach 1, 10 innings: The Oilers (9-1), the tournament’s defending champs, lost in 10 innings.

Senior Nick Pratto went the distance for Huntington Beach and suffered his first loss of the season. The left-hander struck out nine batters and all three runs were earned.

Huntington Beach will play in two consolation games Thursday.

“For high school, this is as good as it gets, especially for USA players,” said Pratto, who was on last years’ championship team in Cary.

“I guess I’m a little stubborn and just want to pitch,” said Pratto of his marathon outing.