UNDER THE TAG — Fairmont Martins runner Spencer Chirpich safely slides under the tag of Jackson Bulls catcher Carter Snyder during Game 3 of the two teams’ best-of-3 Region 13C amateur baseball semifinal series at Herb Wolf Field in Fairmont. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — The No. 6-seeded Jackson Bulls used a four-run fifth inning to beat the No. 2-seeded Fairmont Martins 7-2 in the third and decisive game in the best-of-3 amateur baseball semifinal series in Region 13C on Monday night at Herb Wolf Field in Fairmont.

The game was rescheduled for Monday after the original game on Sunday was rained out.

“We have to find a way to get the offense going,” Fairmont player/coach Levi Becker said. “We had a couple of key hits, but not as many as we would have liked. We’re in the state tournament, which is a good thing.”

For the Martins, Levi Becker hit an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning, scoring Spencer Chirpich, who also singled.

The Bulls tied it at 1-all with the run in the second inning and took a 2-1 lead with a run in the third inning.

The Martins tied it 2-all in the fourth inning.

Levi Becker reached on a fielding error and advanced to third when Adam Schmidt also reached on a throwing error. Arnaldo Malave singled home Levi Becker to tie the game.

The Bulls scored the four runs on only one hit in the fifth, but they had two walks and a hit by pitch in that inning.

With the bases loaded, the Bulls scored on a ground out, fielder’s choice and sacrifice fly. Another run scored on a double and an error.

The Bulls scored one more run in the top of the eighth inning without the benefit of a hit.

Seth Busch had two hits to lead Jackson’s seven-hit offense.

For Fairmont, Chirpich, Levi Becker, Jon Traetow, Jack Kosbab and Malave each had one hit.

For Jackson, Brandan Alfson was the winning pitcher, going seven innings. He gave up two runs — one earned — three hits, no walks, hit one batter and struck out nine. Landon Vaske pitched to one hitter in the eighth and gave up a single.

Evan Olesen finished the eighth inning on the mound for the Bulls, giving up no runs, one run and one hit. Will Larson came on to pitch the ninth inning, giving up no runs or hits, two walks, and struck out two.

For Fairmont, Ross Ackerman took the loss, pitching five innings. He gave up six runs — five earned — six hits, three walks, hit two batters and struck out one.

Jon Traetow pitched three innings, giving up one run, one hit, four walks and struck out six hits. Jack Hested pitched the ninth inning for Fairmont, striking out one.

Fairmont (18-7) plays the No. 5-seeded Hadley Buttermakers at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Herb Wolf Field in Fairmont for the No. 3 seed in the regional.

Jackson will play Luverne for the region’s No. 1 seed and championship at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Luverne.

The Redbirds swept their regional semifinal series with the Hadley Buttermakers by claiming Game 2 by a 13-2 margin in eight innings of Monday night.

JX     011 040 010–7 7 3

FM   100 100 000–2 5 4

Brandon Alfson (WP), Landon Vaske (8), Evan Olesen (8), Will Larson (9) and Carter Snyder, Mason Pohlman (8). Ross Ackerman (LP), Jon Traetow (6), Jack Hested (9) and Ethan Hurn.

LOB–Jackson 11. Fairmont 7. 2B–Seth Busche (JACK). SAC–Ethan Hurn (FMT). SF–Shad Wacker (JACK), Chris Gumto (JACK).