ABOVE: Fairmont Martins' pitcher Josh Smith delivers a strike during Game 2 of the Region 13C Championship series at Herb Wolf Field Friday night.

FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Martins defeated the Luverne Redbirds in Game 2 of the Region 13C Championship series by a score of 9-5 Friday, forcing Game 3 at Redbird Field in Luverne on Sunday.

Martins pitcher Josh Smith put up an impressive performance, pitching seven innings in relief and giving up just four hits while striking out six.

Smith said he felt good overall during the game and saw everything come together.

“Honestly, everything, especially as the game got on,” said Smith. “Curveball and changeup showed up, and the fastball felt good. I felt like I was able to locate where I wanted to, so that really helped.”

Derek Shoen went 3 for 5 with an RBI to lead Fairmont at the plate, while Levi Becker went 2 for 5 with four RBIs and Spencer Chirpich went 2 for 4. Jon Traetow, Jack Kosbab and Arnaldo Malave all added an RBI each to the score sheet.

In the top of the first inning, the Martins forced an early groundout before giving up a double to left field. Paxten Gravlin, a Fox Lake draftee and the Martins’ starting pitcher on Friday, gave up a single on a line drive to center, bringing in the opening run of the game. Gravlin was able to strike out the next batter and force a groundout to get the Martins’ defense off the field.

The Martins responded quickly with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Luke Becker drove a line drive to center for the Martins’ first hit of the night. Chirpich followed suit with a single to short before Lincoln Becker walked to load the bases. Traetow singled on a line drive to center, opening the scoring for the Martins. Chirpich scored on a wild pitch, bringing Levi Becker to the plate, who drove a ball to left field for another three runs.

Opening the top of the second inning, the Redbirds were able to add four runs of their own to take the lead back at 5-4. The Martins’ offense stalled in the second with the side being retired in order.

A quick pitching change in the top of the third inning had Smith take the mound. Smith kept the Redbirds from adding to their tally on the night, giving up a walk before closing out the inning.

The Martins’ offense regained the lead by scoring four more runs in the bottom of the third. A leadoff triple from Derek Shoen put the first base runner on for the Martins. Shoen and Traetow both walked to load the bases. Levi Becker had a double to center to bring in Shoen and Lincoln Becker. Kosbab singled to right field, bringing in Traetow. Malave drove a ball to short, reaching on an error that allowed Levi Becker to score and make the score 8-5.

A solid defensive performance from both teams kept runs off the board through the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

The Martins shut down the Redbirds in the top of the eighth inning, causing them to strand two runners. A leadoff single from Chirpich opened the bottom of the eighth inning. Shoen took a pitch to deep center for an RBI double, bringing Chirpich in for the first and only run of the inning.

Smith continued to shut down the Redbirds in the top of the ninth inning, ending the game with a score of 9-5.

The Martins return to Luverne on Sunday for Game 3 at 1 p.m. at Redbird Field.