Heading into the opening game of its best-of-three Region 13C amateur baseball playoff series with the Milroy Irish, Jackson Manger Scott Bahr said the Bulls were going to have to be better on offense than in their league playoff series vs. Pipestone.
For Game 1 anyway, mission accomplished.
Sixth-seeded Jackson scored four runs in the top of the first and went on to beat third-seeded Milroy 17-0 Wednesday at The Irish Yard. The Bulls added one run in the second, two in the fourth, five in the fifth and five more in the sixth.
Lucas Gardner had three hits for Jackson including a two-run home run and walked once; Easton Bahr was on base five times as he had two hits and walked three times; and Seth Busch had two hits including a homer and walked.
Carter Snyder had a hit and was hit by a pitch; Shad Wacker had a hit and walked; and Evan Olesen also had a hit.
Olesen was the winning pitcher, not allowing a run on two hits in five innings, walking two.
Kevin Holm and Will Larson each had a 1-2-3 inning in relief, with Larson striking out two.
Game 2 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wacker Field in Jackson. If Game 3 is necessary, it would be played at 2 p.m. Sunday at The Irish Yard.
Seventh-seeded Lakefield lost Game 1 of its series with second-seeded Fairmont 10-0 in seven innings at Herb Wolf Field in Fairmont.
The Frogs were limited to three hits by Martins’ pitcher Josh Smith. Bryson Powers doubled for Lakefield, while Taylor Christopher and Nolan Luhmann each added a single.
Phil Pronk went the distance on the mound for the Frogs, who will host Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stan King Field in Lakefield. If Game 3 is needed, that would be back in Fairmont at 2 p.m. Sunday.
In other playoff openers Wednesday, Luverne shut out Heron Lake 15-0 in seven innings and Windom topped Hadley 6-3.
The winner of each first-round region series will advance to the state tournament.
REGION 13C PLAYOFFS
Quarterfinals
Luverne (1) vs. Heron Lake (8)
Luverne leads series 1-0
Wednesday, July 26 – Luverne 15, Heron Lake 0 (7 innings)
Saturday, July 29 – at Heron Lake, 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 30 – (If necessary) at Luverne, 2 p.m.
Windom (4) vs. Hadley (5)
Windom leads series 1-0
Wednesday, July 26 – Windom 6, Hadley 3
Saturday, July 29 – at Hadley, 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 30 – (If necessary) at Windom, 2 p.m.
Fairmont (2) vs. Lakefield (7)
Fairmont leads series 1-0
Wednesday, July 26 – Fairmont 10, Lakefield 0 (7 innings)
Friday, July 28 – at Lakefield, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 30 – (If necessary) at Fairmont, 2 p.m.
Milroy Irish (3) vs. Jackson (6)
Jackson leads series 1-0
Wednesday, July 26 – Jackson 17, Milroy Irish 0 (7 innings)
Friday, July 28 – at Jackson, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 30 – (If necessary) at Milroy, 2 p.m.