BOURNE, Mass. — The Bourne offense got hot early and the majority of the run support came with two outs.

In the Round 1 series win, the Braves combined for 11 runs — they hit that tally in the sixth inning in Game 1 of the West Division Finals against Cotuit.

It was an all-around offensive performance that gave Bourne a 1-0 series lead over the Kettleers, as the Braves took the opener, 11-5.

The scoring spree started in the second with Ryan Cooney (Oregon) reaching on a single, then scoring on an RBI double from Jon LeGrande (St. John’s). An RBI single from Gavin Kelly (West Virginia) had LeGrande touching home plate in the next at-bat.

After Kelly stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Tagger Tyson (Louisville), he scored on an RBI single from Kade Lewis (Wake Forest) to make it a 3-0 advantage for the Braves.

Then Bourne added four more in the third, as Cal Sefcik (Cincinnati) found himself on third after a double and a sacrifice bunt by Luke Costello (Wake Forest). Jason Torres (Alabama) then reached via a fielder's choice that got Sefcik out at the plate. A Cooney single then put Torres at third, where he then cashed in on a wild pitch from Nick Wimberly (FAU).

Cooney took second on the aforementioned wild pitch, and then advanced another bag after a second wild toss from Wimberly. Legrande then walked and stole second, and the tandem scored on a two-run single by Kelly.

Kelly took second on the unsuccessful throw to the plate to nab LeGrande and was the final tally in the frame as he scored on an RBI single from Lewis to extend the lead to 7-0.

Bourne added another in the fourth, as Ryker Waite (Vanderbilt) got on via a one-base knock. He then was sent stealing by first base coach Anthony Barone, where he was safe at second, but then ended up on third after another throwing error from Tyson behind the plate.

Then Waite scored to make it 8-0, cruising home following an RBI single from Costello after a 10-pitch at-bat.

Cotuit erased the zero from its tally in the fifth, as a Jack Natili (Cincinnati) double drove in Landon Beaver (UAB) following his single. Beaver took third after a passed ball given up by Kelly, scoring after on an RBI single from Luke Matthews (Kent State).

Tyson then singled, and after a force out hit by Camden Johnson (Wichita State), a one-base knock from Ryne Farber (Texas State) scored Matthews to have the Braves lead 8-3.

Despite the runs from the Kettleers, Bourne extended its lead right back with its licks in the fifth, as LeGrande got to third after a walk, steal and wild pitch from Gavin Jones (Kent State). A walk from Kelly had the ball go behind the plate on another wild pitch, scoring LeGrande. Following a walk from Braden Holcomb (Vanderbilt), Sefcik ripped an RBI single to score Kelly and make it a 10-3 game.

Cotuit tacked on another in the sixth, as Nolan Stevens (Mississippi State) knocked in Zan Von Schlegell (St. Thomas) on an RBI force out to make it 10-4, but a half-inning later, Bourne made it 11-4 after Cooney got to third after a double and single from LeGrande, scoring on a fielding error by Farber on a ball put in play by Holcomb.

Saxon Roberts (Auburn) closed it out for Bourne to take the 1-0 lead in the series, pitching the eighth and ninth innings. He gave up one run to make it 11-5, but he sealed the deal in the end.

Bourne Braves Player of the Game

Kelly continued his hot streak, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a walk as well as three RBIs, a trio of runs and a steal.

Key moment

The early offense once again paid dividends for the Braves, putting up seven runs between the first two innings.

A look ahead

Bourne will travel to Lowell Park on Saturday for Game 2 of the West Division Finals against Cotuit after taking the 1-0 series lead.

First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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