With a spot in the Class C state tournament already secured, the Lamberton Long Sox put an exclamation point in Region 2C play Friday with a 12-8 victory over Searles in Lamberton. With the victory, the Long Sox went a perfect 5-0 in region round-robin play.
Johnny Pistulka paced Lamberton's offense, going 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs. Landon Erickson, Holden Salfer and Donald Strand each had two hits, with Strand adding three runs and a pair of stolen bases.
The Long Sox overcame 17 Grizzlies hits in the victory. Steve Kloeckl set the tone for Searles, knocking a pair of doubles in the loss.
Lamberton earned a first-round bye in the Class C tournament, and will take on the winner of a game between the Region 7C and 8C champions on Aug. 26 at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud.
Searles010 014 020-8 17 2
Lamberton002 124 03X-12 11 1
S-Kyle Fischer, Dan Blackstad (6), Weniger (7); L-Johnny Pistulka, Tyler Reiner (6), Shane Schoborg (8), Derrick Jenniges. WP-Reiner. LP-Blackstad 3B: L-Pistulka, Holden Salfer. 2B: S-Steve Kloeckl 2; L-Landon Erickson.