Jackson won at home and Lakefield lost on the road Wednesday on the opening night of the Region 13C amateur baseball playoffs.
The Bulls scored three runs in the first inning and made that stand up in a 3-2 win over Hadley in Game One of a best-of-three series at Wacker Field.
Chris Gumto had an RBI single and Briar Rowley a two-run double in the first inning for Jackson.
The Buttermakers scored their first run in the seventh and closed the margin to 3-2 in the ninth. Hadley had the bases loaded in the final frame, but Pat Boggess came on in relief and got the final out on a fly ball to left field.
Ryan Rasche was the winning pitcher, going seven innings. He allowed one run (earned) on eight hits, walked three and struck out five.
Sean Minder made his 23rd appearance of the season for the Bulls, breaking a tie with Tom Schuller for most single-season appearances in team history.
Gavin Jacobsen also pitched for Jackson before Boggess recorded the save.
Game Two is at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hadley. If Game Three is necessary, it would be played at 2 p.m. Sunday, also in Hadley.
At the Irish Yard, Milroy defeated Lakefield 13-1 in seven innings in the first game of their series.
Ben Heichel and Jake Plaetz both had three hits including a home run for the Irish.
Nolan Luhmann, Bryce Christopher and Dustin Pronk had two hits apiece for the Frogs.
Game Two is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stan King Field in Lakefield. If necessary, Game Three would be at 2 p.m. Sunday back at Milroy.
4 Hadley vs. 5 Jackson
Jackson leads series 1-0
Wednesday - Jackson 3, Hadley 2
Saturday - at Hadley, 2 p.m.
Sunday - (if necessary) at Hadley, 2 p.m.
1 Luverne vs. 8 Adrian
Luverne leads series 1-0
Wednesday - Luverne 15, Adrian 0 (7 innings)
Friday - at Adrian, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday - (if necessary) at Luverne, 2 p.m.
3 Milroy Irish vs. 6 Lakefield
Milroy leads series 1-0
Wednesday - Milroy Irish 13, Lakefield 1 (7 innings)
Friday - at Lakefield, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday - (if necessary) at Milroy, 2 p.m.
2 Windom vs. 7 Pipestone
Windom leads series 1-0
Wednesday - Windom 4, Pipestone 0
Friday - at Pipestone, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday - (if necessary) at Windom, 2 p.m.