ROCHESTER — The Austin Athletics turned a baseball game into a track meet in a 9-4 win over the Rochester Blues in a first round Class ‘C’ Regional playoff amateur game in Hudson Field Wednesday.

The Athletics (8-10 overall) stole six bases on the night and they scored a run on a double steal in the seventh when Josh Evans took second and Brendan McCabe took home.

“What we have to do with these young kids is utilize their ability to run,” Athletics manager Joe Serratore said. “We have to create some chaos, even if it’s not always logical. We have to make something happen. We need to create unpredictability because these kids are not seasoned wood bat amateur hitters. But they compete well and they’re good baseball players.”

Austin’s No. 2 hitter Darin Wagner did most of the damage as he stole three bases, and went 2-for-2 with a first inning double.

“We’ve been running around all year,” Wagner said. “That’s what’s gonna get us through.”

Wagner’s double in the first inning triggered a rally that saw Austin score twice on an RBI-single by Craig Selk and a run-scoring groundout by McCabe.

Rochester tied it up at 2 in the bottom of the first on run scoring singles by Tim Lyons and Chad Jabery. The Blues had runners on first and second with one out, when Austin’s Winston Smith fielded a grounder and tagged out Jabery before throwing to first to convert a double play.

“Our top hasn’t been hitting too strong lately, so to come out like that it just gives confidence,” Wagner said. “I don’t think (their two runs in the first) put us down too much.”

Austin took the lead for good in the third when it scored four times. Selk and Brian Voigt had back-to-back RBI-doubles, Evans had an RBI-single and Marty Dick had a run scoring double.

Austin’s two veterans were a big factor in the win. Selk finished 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs, while Dick went 3-for-4.

“Craig is still a state caliber class B hitter,” Serratore said. “To have him in a Class C lineup is just wonderful. Marty and Craig are both Class B hitters and we’re just lucky to have them be a part of this young group of kids.”

Selk — who hit the ball hard on all four of his hits — said the move from manager to hitter has gone quite smoothly.

“I’ve been hitting B.P. every day over in Hayfield. I’m seeing the ball pretty well right now, just waiting for a pitch to hit,” Selk said. “I’m having a blast. These kids just get on base and use their speed. Me and old man Marty just knock the ball around a little bit and let the speed go. Wagner and (Elliot) Herdina are two of the fastest kids I’ve ever seen.”

The fifth-seeded Athletics play at top seeded Stewartville Friday at 7:30 p.m. If Austin wins, it will be closer to the state tournament. If it loses it will still have a chance as the tournament is double elimination format.

“If we can win one more, we’re in a good position to compete,” Serratore said. “It would be fun to get these kids to the state tournament.”

To win, Austin will have to keep running, but don’t expect the young A’s to go on their own.

“The funny part about it is. If I told them they’re on they’re own, I don’t think they’d (steal),” Serratore said. “I don’t think they’re made that tenaciously yet to want it. You have to pretty much tell them, so if they make a mistake they were told to do it.”

Athletics 9, Blues 4

Athletics pitching: Brian Voigt (W), 9 IP, 8 H, 4 BB, 4 ER, 10 K, 2 HBP

Athletics hitting: Elliot Herdina, 1-for-5, R, SB; Darin Wagner, 2-for-2, double, 2 R, 3 SB, 2 BBs; Craig Selk, 4-for-4, double, 2 RBIs, R; Brian Voigt, 2-for-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, R; Brendan McCabe, 0-for-5, RBI, R; Josh Evans, 2-for-4, 2 RBIs, R, 2 SB; Marty Dick, 3-for-4, double, RBI; Derek Emanual, 0-for-3, BB, R; Winston Smith, 0-for-3

Rochester pitching: Eric Anderson (L), 2 2/3 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 ER, 3 K

Rochester hitting: Chris Collins, 0-for-3; Justin Streiff, 1-for-3, 2 BBs; Ronnie Olson, 2-for-4, double, 2 RBIs; Tom Lyons, 1-for-4, RBI; Chad Jabery, 1-for-3, RBI; John Magee, 1-for-4; Josh McKeon, 0-for-2, BB; Brent Wohlers, 0-for-2; Matt Heplo, 1-for-4