Though he's no fan of chilly weather, pitcher Kael Dumont didn't let it bother him Thursday night.

The senior right-hander tossed a four-hitter to lead Millard West to a 5-2 win over top-ranked Millard South in a Metro Conference baseball tournament quarterfinal. The 10th-ranked Wildcats advance to the tourney semifinals Friday.

"I don't really like it this cold," Dumont said. "But I just tried to hang in there."

He did just that after surrendering a pair of first-inning runs. He held the Patriots scoreless the rest of the way while allowing just two more hits.

"That first inning was a little rough," he said. "My fastball wasn't really there so I pounded the zone with curveballs."

Millard West coach Steve Frey agreed.

"He looked rushed at the start," the coach said. "Once he settled down, his breaking ball was really good."

Millard South grabbed the lead on an RBI single by Braden Cannon and a sacrifice fly by Brayden Smith. The Wildcats battled back to take the lead for good with a run in the second and two in the third.

Ty Kalb's RBI single plated the first run while Drew Borner had a run-scoring single in the third. The Wildcats scored another run on a throwing error, one of five miscues made by the Patriots.

"Our defense has been pretty solid this season," coach Greg Geary said. "We kicked it around tonight and against an opponent like that, you've got to be clean."

Millard West tacked on two more runs in the seventh. Rice Whitaker had an RBI single and Avery Moore delivered a sacrifice fly.

Dumont finished off his complete game by retiring the Patriots in order in the bottom of the inning.

He outdueled Millard South starter Cannon, who went six innings and yielded three earned runs.

The Wildcats have won three straight after going winless last week in their own Wildcat Invitational. Millard West beat Millard South on Tuesday night, Gretna earlier Thursday in the tourney's first round and then the Patriots again.

"Going 0-3 in our own tournament was embarrassing," Frey said. "We talked about it and got refocused."

It was the third loss of the week for the Patriots, who fell to Fremont Bergan on Monday night before losing twice to Millard West.

"Each season is going to have its peaks and valleys," Geary said. "Hopefully we'll learn from this."

Millard West (14-6)......012  000  2—5 5 1

Millard South (17-4).....200  000  0—2 4 5