The defending state champion Lions opened their bid for a Class 4A repeat in impressive fashion with a 12-2 rout of Morton in five innings to claim the Reavis Regional championship on Saturday.

LT (23-12-1) moves on to the loaded Mount Carmel Sectional where the Lions take on highly regarded St. Laurence (30-6-1) on Wednesday (May 30, 4:30 p.m.), while Mount Carmel (31-5) and St. Rita (24-12) square off in the other semifinal on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in the Catholic Blue-laden sectional.