Maple Plain jumped out to a four run first inning lead and never looked back as the Devils pounded the Villains 17-3.

Andrew Pratt started off the Devils’ season with a base hit. John Hilbelink, back after a few year hiatus, was able to draw a walk in his time at the plate. Adam Gregg drove in the first run of the year with a base hit. Andrew Engebretson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Lee Gregg added to the lead with an RBI single to right. KC Johnson drove in Adam with a ground ball fielder’s choice to third. On the play the second baseman committed a throwing error to first, allowing Andrew to score from third.

The Devils did not score again until the third inning. Andrew Engebretson led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Lee Gregg followed with a base hit. Lee was able to steal second before KC Johnson hit a double down the right field line to score two runs. KC took advantage of a pass ball to move up to third before scoring on Dan Boisclairs’ single to center.

The Devils scored three more runs in the fourth inning. John Hilbelink and Adam Gregg walked before Andrew Engebretson crushed a pitch to straight away center that hit the middle of the trees behind the fence.

With a 10-3 lead after four innings the Devils broke it open in the fifth after scoring five more times. Dan Boisclair collected his third hit of the game to start off the inning. Andrew Pratt was able to reach first base courtesy of an error by the second baseman. John Hilbelink walked to load the bases. Adam Gregg hit a double in the right center gap to score two runs. Andrew Engebretson’s single scored another run. With the ball coming back to the infield the shortstop committed an error allowing Adam to score and Andrew to move up to third. Lee Gregg’s base hit put runners at the corners before KC Johnson drove in the final run of the inning with a ground ball fielder’s choice to third.

Two more runs were added in the top of the seventh when Andrew Engebretson walked and took second on a wild pitch. Barry McCabe drove in Enge with a single to center. Barry moved to second base on a single by Ryan Dwyer. Barry scored the final run of the game on an error by the third baseman as the ball went between his legs and rolled out to left field on a drive by Dan Boisclair.

The Devils pitching looked good as Paul Kunz had pinpoint control of his fastball and curve early in the game. As Paul’s pitch count started to mount, TJ Aalid came in to relieve with two outs in the middle of the fourth putting down a Villains threat. Adam Gregg finished off the game striking out three of the last four Villain hitters.