SALEM – What a difference a day can make.

After managing just one run in a setback on Friday night, Groton exploded for eight runs in the first two innings on the way to a 9-0 victory over Big Stone City in an elimination game during the State B American Legion Baseball Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

“We came out firing and got runs on the board early,” said Groton coach Seth Erickson.

Groton scored three times in the first inning and five times in the second. Brevin Fliehs was a big part of both frames. He had a two-run triple in the first inning, and added a two-run single in second.

“Brevin had great at-bats today,” Erickson said.

Bradin Althoff also had a key role in the early uprising, producing a sacrifice fly in the first and driving in a run on a single in the second.

Dillon Abeln plated a run with a single in the second, and Teylor Diegel capped the scoring with a sac fly in the third.

That was more than enough offense for a trio of Groton pitchers, who held Big Stone City to just three hits in the contest. Ryan Groeblinghoff started the game before being relieved by Korbin Kucker and Nick Morris.

“Ryan pitched very well for us and we were able to get him out early,” Erickson said. “Korbin and Nick came in and did the same. Good game overall.”

Dillon Abeln topped Groton with three hits. Fliehs produced four runs with his pair of hits.

Groton will take on Parkston at 1 this afternoon in another elimination contest.

Big Stone City 000 000 0 – 0 3 3

Groton 351 000 x – 9 8 1

Isaac Brown, Dru Boots (2) and Connor Danielson; Ryan Groeblinghoff, Korbin Kucker (5), Nick Morris (6) and Dillon Abeln. 2B – Groton, Bradin Althoff. 3B – Groton, Brevin Fliehs.