Photo courtesy of Kristie Blankenship Hadley starting pitcher Tucker Sorenson throws off the mound during a 15-strikeout performance against Fox Lake in the Buttermakers’ 18-2 playoff win on Sunday afternoon.

HADLEY — The No. 3 Hadley Buttermakers left no doubt in the closeout game of their best-of-three series against Fox Lake Sunday afternoon, taking out the No. 6 Foxes 18-2. With the win, Hadley moves on to the next round of the Region 13C tournament where opponent and times of games are to be determined.

Both teams started slow offensively. Through three innings, the game was locked in a scoreless tie.

Then the Buttermakers bats woke up.

Hadley scored 15 runs over the next two innings, with three hitters driving in four runs each.

Brent Hokeness finished a double shy of the cycle and drove in four runs on the day, two of which came on a two-run home run. His teammate Evan Lenz hit a three-run home run and added an RBI double. driving in four runs in the contest. Derek Kluis added two hits including a double and drove in four runs as well.

“Our bats were quiet the first time through the lineup,” Hadley manager Myron Bennett said. “Not through the second time through, scoring 15 runs in the fourth and fifth innings while batting around in both innings. Our two-through-five hitters combined for 15 RBIs in the ballgame.”

Max Zwart had three RBIs and Eric Wieneke also added two hits. Despite the offensive explosion though for the Buttermakers, it was the pitching of Tucker Sorenson that marveled throughout the game

Sorenson’s ability to control the Fox Lake batters and keep them off balance all game proved vital. He pitched six innings allowing two hits, two runs, two walks and struck out 15 batters in the win.

“Sorenson has been tough on the opposing teams all year,” Bennett said. “He took a no-hitter into the sixth. He also had 11 straight outs recorded by a strikeout.”

The Buttermakers (17-7, 14-5 League) are still waiting on the announcement of their next matchup, which will start on Wednesday.