Martins take lead
Fairmont tops Jackson in series opener
Fairmont defeated Jackson 5-0 Wednesday at Wacker Field in Game 1 of their best-of-three series in the Region 13C amateur baseball playoffs. The Martins scored one run in the first inning, three in the second and one in the eighth.
The top two hitters in the lineup had two hits apiece for the Bulls but that was it for Jackson. Leadoff hitter Easton Bahr had two hits while No. 2 hitter Andy Wolf had a pair of hits and also walked once.
Paxton Gravlin, a draftee from Fox Lake started and went seven innings for the Martins, allowing three hits, walking three, hitting one batter and striking out 10. Spencer Chirpich went final two innings, giving up one hit and striking out one.
Evan Olesen went seven-plus innings for Jackson, Andrew Boyum finished out the eighth inning and Will Larson struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth.
Game 2 will be played at 7:30 p.m. at Herb Wolf Field in Fairmont. If the Bulls send the series to Game 3, that would be played at 2 p.m. Sunday at Wacker Field.
In the first game of the other series, Luverne beat Windom 5-2. Game 2 in that series is at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Rec Field in Windom.
The winners of those series are guaranteed spots in the state Class C tournament and will play a series next week for the region championship and state tournament seed order.
The losers of those series will also play a series next week for the final of the region’s three state berths.
Region 13C amateur baseball
Final Four
Jackson Bulls (2) vs. Fairmont Martins (3)
Fairmont leads series 1-0
Wednesday, July 31: Fairmont 5, Jackson 0
Friday, Aug. 2: Jackson at Fairmont, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 4: If necessary. Fairmont at Jackson, 2 p.m.
Luverne Redbirds (1) vs. Windom Pirates (5)
Luverne leads series 1-0
Wednesday, July 31: Luverne 5, Windom 2
Saturday, Aug. 3: Luverne at Windom, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 4: If necessary. Windom at Luverne, 2 p.m.