ADAMS — The Hayfield baseball team struck first and it’s ace pitcher gave them his best stuff as they beat Southland 4-0 in Adams Monday.

Hayfield senior pitcher Cam Rutledge never allowed a runner past second base as he struck out seven and allowed just two hits in the win. The Rebels (7-6 overall) had runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Rutledge was able to get Nick Finbraaten to ground out to end the game.

“My curve ball was snapping real well and I was trying to get my confidence back up before the playoffs. I can still throw strikes and be confident,” Rutledge said. “Southland’s been good for the last however many years and you cannot count them out. Getting that early lead gave us a cushion and then I could pitch how I know I can pitch.”

Hayfield took an early 3-0 lead off of three Southland errors in the top of the first inning. Rutledge singled to start the game and he scored on an error and Jax Bauer put Hayfield up 3-0 with a two-out, two-run single to right field. Aaron Younge singled in another run to make it 4-0 Hayfield in the second inning.

Hayfield (12-4 overall) will play three more games against subsection opponents this week and the Vikings will play Kenyon-Wanamingo for the HVL Blue title in Hayfield 4 p.m. Tuesday. Hayfield has never won an HVL division title in school history.

“It was a big game to start our week of big games,” Hayfield head coach Kasey Krekling said. “We got the lead right away and everyone relaxed.”

Southland sophomore Chris Webber went the distance as he scattered eight hits and allowed just one earned run.

“I thought both teams probably had their top pitchers on the mound today,” Krekling said. “To beat them shows that we can compete for a subsection title. By no means is [Southland] not still in the hunt because they’re a very good team. I’m sure we’ll have to beat them again if we want to win a subsection title.”

Hayfield 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 4 8 1

Southland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 2 4

Hayfield pitching: Cam Rutledge (W) 7 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 0 R, 7 K

Hayfield hitting: Rutledge, 2-for-4, R, SB; Aaron Younge, 1-for-3, RBI; Ben Czaplewski, 0-for-2, RBI, R; Andrew Becker, 1-for-3, R; Dominic Dublin, 0-for-3; Jax Bauer, 1-for-3, 2 RBIs; Lane Canny, 2-for-3, double; Blake Risius, 0-for-2; Adam Younge, 1-for-3

Southland pitching: Chris Webber (L) 7 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 4 K

Southland hitting: Jared Landherr, 0-for-3; Webber, 1-for-3; Josh Anderson, 0-for-2, BB; Jordan Heimer, 0-for-3; Bret Matthews, 0-for-2, BB; Nick Finbraaten, 1-for-2; Lucas Mandt, 0-for-2; Corey Retterath, 0-for-2; James Landherr, 0-for-2