Block High School coach Stevie McCarthy knew at the beginning of this season he had a special group of players.

On Monday evening, the Bears delivered a special gift to the grizzled coach.

Sixteenth-seed Block raced past No. 17 East Beauregard 15-4 in five innings the bi-district round of the LHSAA Class 1A playoffs, giving McCarthy his first playoff win in 13 years at the school.

“This is great,” McCarthy said. “I told these kids at the beginning of the season that they had a chance to do something if they play ball. They came out and played ball.”

East Beauregard took a 4-3 advantage after scoring three runs in the top of the first inning.

But Block didn’t blink.

The Bears (10-14-1) rallied for eight runs in the bottom of the frame, and Brennen Lippman shut out the Trojans the rest of the way, sending Block to the second round of the playoffs.

“When they want to hit, they can hit,” McCarthy said.

Block now travels on Friday to face top-seeded Logansport, which has defeated the Bears twice already this season.

“They beat us in extra innings one game (7-6 on April), and they beat us by four runs last Thursday (10-6),” McCarthy said. “Close games. Brennen did not pitch in any of those games. I hope he’s well enough to go on Friday.”

Jacob Edwards started for Block, and the right-handed hurler tossed three strong innings while striking out five batters. Edwards allowed four runs to score, but none of them were earned.

Lippman struck out three batters in his two innings.

Block pounded out nine hits in the game, led by Lippman and Casey Phipps two hits apiece. Phipps drove in three runs, while Lippman had two RBIs.

Elton Mayes registered a team-high five RBIs, including a two-run double in the fourth and a two-run single in the third.

Kevin Osteen also had two RBIs for the Bears, while Edwards, Zorian Bowie and Braden Hammons all had an RBI.

“They have a chance to do something,” McCarthy said. “This is my first playoff win, and it feels great.”