Medford's top pitching and catching battery had as much to do offensively with the Tigers' surprise victory over Southland as it did defensively.

Brent Reinhard and Mitch Kuhlman combined for six hits, seven runs scored and five runs batted in as fifth-seeded Medford knocked off fourth-seeded Southland in the opening round of Section 1A West Sub-Section baseball action Tuesday at Riverland Community College in Austin.

Reinhard and Kuhlman teamed up to pitch the Tigers through a Rebel rally that resembled -- but could not duplicate -- Southland's 22-12 victory over Medford in their regular-season meeting. The Rebels scored 11 runs between the fourth and sixth innings Tuesday, but it somehow was not enough as Medford had already built up a sizeable lead.

Medford meets top-seeded Blooming Prairie in Thursday's second round at 5 p.m. at Marcusen Park. Southland falls into the losers' bracket, where they meet Southeast Conference rival Lyle/Pacelli Thursday at 5 p.m. at Riverland.

Medford's leadoff hitter in each of the first four innings hit and scored, spurring the Tigers to a 16-1 lead before Southland's home half of the fourth. Medford rallied for nine runs in the fourth, sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring most of them. Kuhlman tripled off Southland pitcher Zach Stratton to lead off, starting an unstoppable string of offense that eventually chased Stratton from the mound.

Sophomore reliever Greg Retterath had little success stopping the flood, surrendering six runs on five hits. Reinhard singled and tripled in the inning, driving in three runs, and Brandon Balzer added a two-run single.

Dan Bakker pitched the final three innings for Southland, stifling the Tigers' torrid scoring until the seventh. Bakker struck out five during his stint.

Southland's late-breaking offense was driven by Nate Bergene's 3-5 day, including a double, an RBI and three runs scored. Adam Nagele's only hit drove in two runs in Southland's five-run fourth, and Jared Gilles' lone single scored two in the five-run sixth.

Derek Berndt went 2-4 with a double, a sacrifice fly and two runs scored. Adam Landherr added a run-scoring triple, two runs scored an two RBIs.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.