AREA BASEBALL SHORTS

PINE RIVER - Levi Allen went 4-for-5 with three RBIs as the Pine River-Backus Tigers throttled Red Lake 24-2 in a Northwoods Conference baseball matchup.

Freshman Nathan Holm struck out six in four innings for the win.

PR-B's Andy Davidson went 2-3 with a double and two RBIs and Jordan Ackermann was 2-3 with a double.

Red Lake 2 6 5

Pine River-Backus 24 14 3

WP: Nathan Holm. LP: Cory Donnell. 2B: Jordan Ackermann 2-3, Andy Davidson 2-3 2 RBIs. Conference: PRB 3-0. Overall: PRB 3-0. Next game: Laporte at Pine River-Backus 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Pierz 13, Eden Valley-Watkins 6

PIERZ - Tyler Monson went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, a double and a walk to power the Pierz Pioneers to a 13-6 victory over the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles Thursday in Central Minnesota Conference action.

The Pioneers, who capitalized on five Eagles' errors and seven walks, held a 6-5 edge before Mike Weber broke the game open with a three-run home run during the sixth inning.

Eden Valley-Watkins 6 9 5

Pierz 13 8 0

WP: Travis Kohl . LP: Tyler Geislinger. 2B: Tyler Monson, Zach Doroff. 3B: . HR: Mike Weber. Conference: Prz 2-0. Overall: Prz 3-0. Next game: Pierz at Albany 5 p.m. Friday.

Willmar 2, Little Falls 1

WILLMAR - Logan Kalis tossed 5 2/3 innings giving up two hits with eight strikeouts and two unearned runs to take a tough 2-1 loss against Central Lakes Conference opponent Willmar Thursday.

Riley Hirsch was 2-for-4 with a double and Eddie Wenzel went 2-for-3 for the Flyers.

Ben Hanowski had one hit to reach 101 for his career and claim the Little Falls school record.

Little Falls 1 8 2

Willmar 2 2 2

WP: Nate Swoyer. LP: Logan Kalis. 2B: Riley Hisch, Kalis. Conference: LF 0-2. Overall: LF 0-2. Next game: Little Falls hosts Alexandria 5 p.m. Friday.

New York Mills 5, Pillager 4

NEW YORK MILLS - Jordan Hunstad threw a complete game with seven strikeouts and two earned runs as Pillager lost to New York Mills 5-4 in Park Region Conference baseball Thursday.

Hunstad also had a double.

Pillager 4 6 4

New York Mills 5 4 4

WP: Ted Rohr. LP: Jordan Hunstad. 2B: Hunstad. Conference: Pill 1-1. Overall: Pill 1-2. Next game: Pillager hosts Parkers Prairie 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Ottertail Central 22, Verndale 11

VERNDALE - The Verndale Pirates pounded out 14 hits, but it wasn't enough as the Ottertail Central Bulldogs doubled them up for a 22-11 Park Region Conference victory Thursday.

The Pirates got doubles from Jay Runyan, Nathan Bart, Clayton Cottrell and Cody Yungbauer.

Ottertail Central 22 15 3

Verndale 11 14 4

WP: Collins. LP: Brady Siedschlaw. 2B: V-Jay Runyan, Nathan Bart, Clayton Cottrell, Cody Yungbauer. Conference: V 1-1. Overall: V 1-1. Next: Verndale at Lake Park-Audubon 4:30 p.m. Friday.