A stellar season for the Vicksburg Billies has been powered by three big arms on the pitching staff and a cohesive defense that makes routine plays.

That combination worked well again Friday in the opening game of the 10-year-olds’ Governor’s Cup at Halls Ferry Park. The Billies got a combined two-hitter from pitchers Caleb Sterling and Vantrell Reed to beat the Louisiana Thunder 5-1.

The Billies improved their record to 37-13 this summer and now eye a top seed and a possible Governor’s Cup title to add to their successful season.

“We’ve played all over the state this season,” Billies coach Tim Shelton said. “We finished second in a big tournament in Southaven, we played up and won an 11-year-old tournament in Brandon and then we won AAA State in Jackson.”

Sterling got the Billies off to a good start against the West Monroe-based Thunder by tossing three shutout innings. Only one of the nine outs left the infield and the only hit came in the third inning from Devin Messor.

“When we’ve had a big game we needed to win, we start Caleb Sterling,” Shelton said. “He throws strikes and keeps the ball in play. We’ve also worked really hard on defense this season.”

The Billies’ offense knocked around Thunder starter Chandler Smith for a 5-0 lead after two innings. Shane Lewis had a pair of doubles to drive in three runs. Kieran Theriot scored on both of the doubles after reaching on a walk and a hit by pitch. Luke Yocum and Thomas Phillips had a hit and a run scored.

Up 5-0 in the fourth, Shelton brought in the hard-throwing Reed. He struggled with his control by issuing two walks, but erased both runners with pickoff moves at second base as Lewis covered from short.

“Reed throws really hard and then we have Lewis,” Shelton said. “He’s nasty. He has several pitches he can throw for strikes.”

Reed gave up a leadoff single in the fifth to Reed Eason but was able to get him out on a rundown at home. Chandler Smith, who reached on the Billies’ lone error, scored the Thunder’s only run with two outs. Reed ended the game with his second strikeout.

Thunder coach Kevin Eason said his team was making its Governor’s Cup debut.

“I would say half our team is our regulars and then we picked up the other half, but we’re not stacked up like a lot of the teams here,” Eason said. “Our kids just love to come play baseball.