FRISCO — Lovejoy High School defeated Argyle 7-1 in the third and deciding game of the Class 5A Division II state semifinal series on Saturday at Riders Field in Frisco, advancing to the state championship game. The victory secured Lovejoy’s second appearance in the final round in three years.

Lucas Smith went 4 for 4 with three RBIs, including a two-out solo home run to left field in the bottom of the first inning—his ninth of the season. Smith later added a two-run double off the left-centerfield wall during a six-run second inning that effectively decided the game. Liam Quinlan drew a bases-loaded walk in that frame, while Logan Corley and Brady Sommers each delivered RBI singles to right field.

Brett Hill pitched a complete-game victory in his first start in over a month, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out seven. He struck out the side in the seventh inning to close the game. Before this start, Hill had last taken the mound as a starter in a 5-1 loss to Celina on April 25 and had worked as a reliever in each of the prior four playoff rounds.

"Home runs are thrown. You have to get the right pitch at the right moment to hit a homer, and I got that tonight," Smith said. "This was a dream of mine to come out here and execute on the biggest stage."

"I put all my trust in my preparation. I knew if I came out here and threw strikes and changed speeds they wouldn’t have a chance," Hill said. "I trusted the guys behind me. There was a lot of soft contact and Brady Sommers was great. Brady was awesome."

Argyle scored its only run in the sixth inning when Tyler D’Angelo singled to right and later scored on a passed ball. Ryan Calvert and Nate Bruce each hit doubles for Argyle, but Jakson Overton, who pitched a complete game in the loss, allowed six earned runs on 10 hits and two walks. Overton did not surrender a run over his final four innings.

Brady Sommers finished with two hits, including a double to center in the sixth, and showed strong defensive range at second base in the first two innings. Logan Corley also recorded two hits. Lovejoy, now 33-6-1 and ranked No. 5 in The Dallas Morning News’ Class 5A/Others area poll, will face Mission Sharyland in the state championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.