The game ended in the fifth due to the 10-run lead rule.

“I got a pitch where I wanted it and whacked it,” said Uecker, who finished the game with two hits, three RBIs and a walk.

Sophomore pitcher Carter Haala showed lots of energy early in the game, diving for a foul ball between home plate and first base.

“I’m having fun, playing baseball, throwing strikes, trusting the defense. I know my teammates have my back,” said Haala.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Sleepy Eye relief pitcher Eric Lozano tosses a fifth-inning pitch at a Martin County West batter in the Indians' 12-2, five-inning win Thursday in Sleepy Eye.

He fanned four batters, allowed two hits and no runs in three innings. Relief pitchers Chase Zufall and Eric Lozano pitched the fourth and fifth innings.

Kayden Klein had a hit and scored two runs, one in the third inning when the Martin County West pitcher hurdled him to try to retrieve an errant throw.

“I’m just glad to get into the second round of the section tournament. As a senior, it’s a big win,” Klein said.

Brayden Heiderscheidt added two hits for Sleepy Eye.

Sleepy Eye head coach Aaron Nesvold was proud of his team that improved to 18-4 on the year.

“We hit the ball hard. Carson [Uecker] had a nice triple that cleared the bases. We had some guys at the bottom of the order do what they’ve been doing all year, getting timely hits. They put some balls in play and make them make plays. It was huge. Carter [Haala] pitched well, doing what we expected him to do. We got guys in the game to save arms too.”

Martin County West had three errors in the game. Easton Kuehl had two hits for MCW.

The Indians host Cleveland at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the next round of the Section 2A tournament.