Nansemond River High School’s baseball team put together a dominant performance against the defending Group 6A state champions on Wednesday.

The Warriors defeated visiting Western Branch High School 8-2.

“We honestly outplayed them in every aspect of the game,” Nansemond River coach Mark Stuffel said.

Due to graduation, the Bruins lost some players from their 2015 state title-winning squad, but Stuffel affirmed that they are still a particularly good team this year.

The coach noted that on Wednesday, the Warriors were going against one of Western Branch’s strong pitchers from last season — Corey Klak.

Nevertheless, Nansemond River produced 13 hits, scoring one run in the first inning, one in the third, one in the fourth, four in the fifth and one in the sixth.

“I expected us to win because I know we have a good team; when we play well, I think we can beat anybody,” Stuffel said. “I guess it was a surprise the way we won but not a surprise that we won.”

The Bruins produced only two hits for the game.

“I thought Mike Blanchard just completely overwhelmed them on the mound,” Stuffel said. “He attacked the zone and got us quick outs.”

Blanchard, a senior, pitched all seven innings, allowing only one walk and throwing eight strikeouts.

Western Branch scored both of its runs in the sixth inning.

“Really, that’s the only pressure they put on our defense,” Stuffel said.

Nansemond River got its four runs in the fifth inning in dramatic ways, as junior Jarrid Johnson hit a two-run home run, and shortly thereafter, senior Johnny Mayer followed with a two-run homer of his own.

Johnson was 4-for-4 on the night with the homer and four runs batted in. Senior Dion Jordan was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and senior Matthew Holt finished with two hits and two RBIs.

“So, we played a pretty complete game last night,” Stuffel said on Thursday. “Hopefully we can keep playing the same way.”

Nansemond River (5-4) hosts perennial Southeastern District powerhouse Great Bridge High School on Friday.