Monday’s Region 3 opener put the visiting Youngsville Eagles against the Eisenhower Knights and the victory went to the Eagles 6-2.

Youngsville (1-0, 1-0) scored twice in the first and second innings before adding single runs in the fifth and seventh innings.

Sophomore Nathan Lucks shined on the mound for the Eagles, allowing two hits with five strikeouts.

“I thought Nathan threw very well,” Youngsville head coach Eddie Dorunda said. “He knew he was our opening-day starter about two weeks ago and with the cancellations we’ve had, he has been itching to start.”

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Shawn Pascuzzi dives safely back into first base during Monday’s Region 3 game against Youngsville in Russell.

Wyatt Dalrymple had a key hit-and-run in the first inning to score James Johnson. In the second, Ethan Senz reached on a bunt single and later scored on an RBI from Johnson. Lane Buccardo also had an RBI hit for the Eagles.

“We were pretty solid in all areas,” Dorunda said. “I thought we hit well and we were aggressive on the bases. It was good to see these guys get the win.”

Johnson relieved Lucks late in the game, but Eisenhower (0-1, 0-1) loaded the bases and with two outs, Lucks relieved to get the final out.

“We have a young team, maybe the youngest in our region with no seniors and only one junior,” Dorunda said. “I knew what we were capable of, I just wondered if these young guys were ready, and they were.”

Cole Chapman, Spencer Wynn and Garrett Jensen combined on a four-hitter with nine strikeouts. Just one of Youngsville’s six runs was earned.

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Youngsville’s Ethan Senz squares around the bunt during the Eagles’ Region 3 game against Eisenhower in Russell on Monday.

“We had to replace seven starters off of last year’s team so we had a lot of new faces getting their first varsity experience and overall I was pleased,” Eisenhower head coach Clint Corse said. “I thought Cole Chapman pitched well and his catcher Brok English did a nice job . We hit the ball well, but we certainly have some things to work on.”

English had a pair of hits and scored a run while Shawn Pascuzzi had the Knights’ lone RBI.

Kenzie Olewine contributed to this story.