HORICON — Adam Bunkoske homered in the first inning and Austen Oechsner was in control for the remainder of Horicon's 8-3 East Central American Legion baseball win over visiting Hartford Thursday.

Horicon came in ranked second in Class A while Hartford was ranked 10th in Class AAA. Bunkoske followed Connor Baker's triple with a two-run blast to give Horicon the early lead.

Hartford tied it in the second after a two-out error but Horicon responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Baker singled in a run and Hartford botched a pickoff play, which led to two more runs.

"We had some guys step up tonight," Horicon coach Quinn Heintz said. "Connor was new to the leadoff spot but he had an excellent game.

"Mike Boucher had a big hit in the third inning for us."

Boucher's two-out, two-run double gave Horicon an 8-2 lead. After that, it was Oechsner in control as he allowed six hits, three walks and one earned run while fanning six.

"Austen did a nice job keeping their hitters off-balance," Heintz said. "They are a nice team and to hold them to three runs is a very good job."

Horicon (8-3, 4-2 Northern ECAL) visits Waupun in Saturday night's clash.

Hartford slipped to 3-2 in the South.

Notes: Horicon's Mason Deibert was selected to the 2009 American Legion All-Star game at Miller Park....Horicon will also host the Class A Region 5 regional. Play opens Wednesday, July 22 with Mayville facing Lomira/Theresa at noon. Jackson follows against Berlin at 2:30 p.m, with Fond du Lac versus Omro at 5 and Horicon meeting Ripon at 7:30. Winners of games 1 and 3 meet each other along with the winners of games 2 and 4. Losers of those contests pair up as well in the double-elimination bracket.

HORICON 8, HARTFORD 3

Hartford  020  000  1  -  3  6  1

Horicon   242  000  x  -  8  7  2

WP: A. Oechsner (7 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 6 K)

LP: Berg (6 IP, 8 R, 6 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 2 K)

Leading hitters: Hc - Baker 2-4, 3B; Bunkoske HR, 2 RBI; Boucher 2B, 3 RBI; Ha - Klink 2B; Buetchuer 2B.

Oconomowoc 6

Waupun 2

OCONOMOWOC — Four Waupun errors contributed to Thursday's 6-2 Southern East Central American Legion baseball loss at Oconomowoc.

"We gave up a couple of runs we shouldn't have," Waupun coach Tom Nickel said. "I was very pleased with the way we played even though we lost.

"We hit the ball very well tonight. Everything was right at someone."

Zach Tavs and Jordan DeBoer each had two hits with a double. Ben Navis drove in both Waupun runs.

Drew Buss struck out four and gave up three earned runs while taking the loss. Waupun (8-3, 5-2 South), which fell a game behind South leader Beaver Dam in the loss column, hosts Horicon Saturday night and Ripon Sunday afternoon.

Notes: Waupun will host a Class AA regional including Beaver Dam, Waushara County, Portage, Prepside Mustangs, DeForest, Waunakee and Cottage Grove. Dates and times have yet to be finalized....Waupun will also host a Junior Legion regional the week before including Beaver Dam.

OCONOMOWOC 6, WAUPUN 2

Waupun          000  020  0  -  2   8  4

Oconomowoc  010  401  x  -  6 10  0

WP: Drew (7 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K)

LP: Buss (6 IP, 6 R, 3 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, 4 K)

Leading hitters: W - Tavs 2-4, 2B; DeBoer 2-3, 2B; Navis 2 RBI; O - Proud 2-4; Herr 3 RBI; Wensman 2B; Pierson 2B.