PAWTUCKET — The top seed went down Tuesday. The three-time champion followed with an exit on Wednesday.

The drama continues on the boys side at the 105th Rhode Island Junior Amateur, with Ian Dunham providing the highlight in the match play quarterfinals at Pawtucket Country Club.

Dunham stormed from behind on the back nine and edged Max Jackson in 19 holes, a meeting of high school stars who will both continue in college this fall. None of the top four seeds remain entering Thursday morning’s semifinals, which will also feature reigning Interscholastic League champion Rocco Capalbo.

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“It’s just such a grind to play a guy like that,” Dunham said to the Rhode Island Golf Association. “He hit so many good shots. That last stretch of holes — 14, 15, 16, 17 — I played some of the best golf.”

There will be no introductions necessary in the girls semifinals. Olivia Williams held off Adriana Eaton to capture the Women’s Amateur last summer. Lily Dessel and Claire McTaggart are Barrington High teammates who will now square off as opponents.

“If my wedge game and putting is on, then it should be a good match,” Eaton said. “Just treat it as another round of golf; don’t worry about the opponent and just play me against the course.”

“Try to keep the same mindset for any opponent,” Dessel said. “Play steady, be a tough opponent for them and just have fun with it.”

Jackson, the La Salle Academy star and Rutgers commit, was 3 up through 13 and seemed in control on his home course. Dunham turned the match by rolling in a 25-footer for birdie at the par-4 14th and capped his sudden run by stuffing a 6-iron to within 6 feet at the par-4 17th. Dunham converted on another birdie putt, giving the former Chariho standout and Franklin Pierce commit a 1-up lead.

“I was down most of the day — all through the first nine holes,” Dunham said. “Then on the back, he won 11 and 12. I missed a couple key putts from 5 or 6 feet and I couldn’t get anything going.”

Jackson made birdie on the par-4 18th to extend the match but couldn’t get down for par while replaying the first. Dunham two-putted to punch his ticket for a meeting with Brayden Dickinson, who also made a par at the 19th hole to outlast Eli Hamelsky. Neither player held more than a 1-up lead through the first 18, and Hamelsky made par at the last to force an extra hole.

Capalbo continued what has been a fairly routine week to date by handling Drew MacLeod, 4 and 3. The rising sophomore at Prout has extended his hot form to the summer, losing just one of the 15 holes he played in the quarterfinals. He’ll face Jesse Hellring in the semifinals after the No. 8 seed eliminated Tuesday hero Nick Emery, 6 and 5.

“You always hope the other player plays good,” Capalbo said. “But at the same time, you want them to make mistakes and not you. I think it’s very important.”

“I’m pretty confident,” Hellring said. “I like this course. It’s really a fair course — if you hit it good you’re going to have some chances.”

Eaton and Williams both eased to 5-and-4 wins in their quarterfinals. Eaton built a 5-up lead at the turn while taking out Emma Lockhart. Williams, the two-time defending champion, was 2 up through 11 against Elizabeth Kue before winning her last three holes.

“I’m feeling good after today,” Eaton said. “I like this course. It’s in very good shape and I feel like it’s a good length.”

Dessel won seven of nine holes on the front side to take immediate control against Ava Andoscia, cruising to an 8-and -7 win. McTaggart had to work a little harder against Julia Nault, losing an early 3-up lead before winning the 13th and 17th to secure a 2-and-1 triumph. The pair of Eagles will go out at 7:54 a.m. Thursday, starting eight minutes after the Williams-Eaton match.

“I just went into it trying to play steady,” Dessel said. “That was kind of my goal. That was pretty much what I did.”

Boys championship

Jesse Hellring def. Nick Emery, 6 and 5; Rocco Capalbo def. Drew MacLeod, 4 and 3; Brayden Dickinson def. Eli Hamelsky, 19 holes; Ian Dunham def. Max Jackson, 19 holes.

Girls championship

Olivia Williams def. Elizabeth Kue, 5 and 4; Adriana Eaton def. Emma Lockhart, 5 and 4; Lily Dessel def. Ava Andoscia, 8 and 7; Claire McTaggart def. Julia Nault, 2 and 1.

Boys first division

Connor Ahlborg def. Rich Cavanagh, 3 and 1; Luke Cavanaugh def. Noah Patel, 1 up; Connor Rabbitt def. Nick Adamonis, 2 and 1; Zachary Taraian def. Julien Kocatas, 5 and 4.

Boys 14U

Mitch McTaggart def. Nick Keefe, 7 and 6; Aidan Connell def. Ray Rainville, 2 and 1; Raj Mammen def. Logan Ferreira, 7 and 6; Nico Capalbo def. Kailer Louangxay, 1 up.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25