Two days after scoring just one run on three hits, Mill Creek, Wash. (Northwest), showed the why it had a reputation as a high-powered offense in its 15-5 win over Hagerstown, Md (Mid-Atlantic). Mill Creek scored its 15 runs on 16 hits and eight extra base hits, including two home runs by Alec Kisena. Jason Todd and Alek Baumgartner also homered for Mill Creek, which is now 1-1 in Pool A play and just needs a victory over winless Jeffersonville, Ind., to advance to the next round.

!http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/38-20643/save-at-home.jpg?blogID=8913&blogPostID=9674|style=padding:8px;|align=right|src=http://community.active.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/38-20643/save-at-home.jpg?blogID=8913&blogPostID=9674!“The bats came alive,” Mill Creek coach Scott Mahlum understated. “I’m very, very proud of these guys. That was our biggest fear after the first game, that we weren’t going to show people what we’re capable of. I’m very happy the guys responded, especially in a do-or-die game like today.” “Sometimes good teams just beat good team,” Hagerstown coach Bill Abeles said. “They did exactly what they wanted to do and we gave them a couple of extra outs (with errors). I have to hand it to them, they took it to us.”

Kisena went 2-for-3 and knocked home five runs. Both of his home runs came on two-strike counts. “I’m a good two-strike hitter,” Kisena admitted. Todd – the likely starting pitcher against Jeffersonville on Tuesday – went 4-for-4 with a homer, two double, four RBI and three runs scored in the win. “I knew I had to be at my best because I knew this could be our last (chance),” Todd said.

Entering the game, both teams had struggled offensively in pool play. In their first games combined, Mill Creek and Hagerstown combined for just three hits. On Monday, the two sides combined for 11 runs on 12 hits – in the first two innings. “We knew we had to come out strong and put up some good numbers,” Todd said.

The difference in the game was the relief pitching of Mill Creek. While Mill Creek scored seven runs in the seventh inning to break the game open, Mill Creek relievers surrendered just one run on three hits. Joakim Soderqvist, who struck out the side in both of his innings and got Mill Creek out of a bases-loaded jam in the second. “He was huge,” Mahlum said. Hagerstown needs a win over unbeaten Lake Charles, La., on Tuesday and some help from Jeffersonville to advance.

All four teams in Pool A are still alive for a berth in Wednesday’s single-elimination quarterfinal round.

*BOX SCORE

Mill Creek, Wash. 521 070 – 15 16 2

Hagerstown, Md. 310 100 – 5 7 1*

  W – Derrick Mahlum (1-0). L – Zane Schreiber (0-1). S – Alex Jondal (1). 2B – Jason Todd (MC) 2, Dan Kingma (MC), Jondal (MC). HR – Alec Kisena (MC) 2, Andrew Yacyk (H), Jason Todd (MC), Alek Baumgartner (MC).

Pool A Records – Mill Creek 1-1, Hagerstown 1-1.