The Phoenix baseball team won one big game to set up three more.

The Pirates used a fast start and solid pitching throughout the day to gain a split of a Skyline Conference doubleheader with Henley on Saturday, downing the visiting Hornets 5-1 in the first game before dropping a 3-1 decision in the nightcap at Colver Field.

PHS (11-9 overall, 5-4 in the Skyline) handed Henley just its second loss of the season, scoring all five of its runs in the first inning of the opener,. AJ Stanfield, Kade Beer and Logan Jenkins all contributed RBI singles before Freedom Martinez drove in a pair of runs.

That was more than enough for winning pitcher Liam Serean. The senior righthander struck out nine and allowed only five hits in six innings of work. Ethan Humble retired the side in order in the seventh to finish off the win.

Martinez struck out 12 and gave up just three hits in the nightcap. Henley led 3-0 when Colton Merriman singled home Brandon Zanni.

The Pirates return to action Wednesday, heading to Hidden Valley for the first of a three-game series with the Mustangs.