Mitchell's high school baseball team put up five runs in the second inning and went on to defeat Huron 8-3 Monday at Cadwell Park in Mitchell.
Evan Mastel picked up the win with four innings pitched, allowing three runs on eight hits and striking out one.
Jared Schmidt dominated out of the bullpen as he retired all nine hitters he faced and fanned two Tigers.
"That was by far Jared's best outing," Mitchell head coach Luke Norden said. "He was out there to get a job done."
Norden said Schmidt hasn't been used much recently due to a lack of scheduled games so he decided to pull Mastel, whose pitch count was less than 50 pitches through four innings.
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Norden was pleased with Mastel for recording another outing with no walks. Norden said Mastel has allowed just two walks in more than 30 innings.
"The defense is always good behind him just for the fact they know the ball is going to be in play," Norden said.
The Kernels trailed 1-0 after the first inning Monday until their five-run outburst in the second.
Mitchell plated four runs in the second inning before an out was recorded.
Calvin Limberg started the scoring with an RBI walk with the bases loaded and was followed up by a two RBI single by Michael Sadler.
Limberg scored after a pickoff play to second base forced him to take off for third and an errant throw allowed him to score.
The Kernels were outhit in the game eight to six but Huron's starting pitcher Derek Zwanziger walked six batters and plunked two.
Zwanziger recorded the loss after pitching all six innings and allowing six hits and seven earned runs.
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Mitchell (14-7) returns to the diamond with a doubleheader against Brandon at 5 p.m. today at Cadwell Park in Mitchell.
Today's game is the final regular season game before the regional tournament, which begins Saturday in Mitchell.
"This team knows how hard they've worked and prepared," Norden said. "You can tell that these guys will be ready and focused come Saturday and beyond."
Notes: The Kernels pitching staff did not allow a single free pass in the win over Huron. Mastel's lone strikeout came on a fouled bunt attempt with two strikes. ... Mitchell did not have a batter strike out in the game. The team drew six walks and had two hit batsmen. ... The two coaches took turns coming out to have discussions with the home plate umpire. Huron's JT Fisher came out to argue the umpire's call as Jared Schmidt was called safe after sliding under the catcher's tag at home after a ground ball by Josh Schmidt. On the very next pitch, Mitchell's Brent Havlik was hit in the back with a fastball but the umpire did not allow him to take his base, stating that he made no attempt to avoid being hit. Norden argued the decision but Havlik returned to the batter's box, only to be hit again on the next pitch.
