LAKE NORDEN – The Aberdeen Smittys scored at least three runs in four different innings and cruised past Lake Norden 16-2 for an American Legion baseball win Tuesday night.

The Smittys took control early in the game, recording four runs in the first inning. Casey Vining plated the first run on an RBI single, before the Smittys scored two runs on Lake Norden errors. Andrew Woehl plated another run on a double to push the lead to 4-0.

The Smittys added a fifth run in the top of the second when Jaiden Smith singled to left field driving in Zane Backous.

Vining finished the night with four hits and drove in six, while Eisenbeisz had three hits.

While Vining and Eisenbiesz led the charge, Smittys head coach Brandon Kusler was pleased with the hitting performances of his entire team.

“Vining and Eisenbiesz really stood out, but all our guys had some really good at-bats all day and hit balls hard,” Kusler said. “We took care of the baseball as well, which is always good to see. And then, offensively, we did a great job of sticking to our approach and hitting balls hard.”

Aberdeen added three more runs in the top of the third. A bases-loaded walk produced the first run, Smith then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, before Vining drove in another run with a single, giving the Smittys an 8-0 advantage.

The Smittys added three more runs in the fifth inning. Phillip Zens scored on a wild pitch, before Eisenbiesz drove in two more runs with a double.

The Smittys then tacked on five runs in the sixth inning to cap off the scoring. Welke scored on a bases-loaded walk by Smith, before Vining added the clincher with a grand slam home run that drove in Aidan Hoffman, Backous, and Smith, providing the final count.

While the offense was clicking, Kusler said he was proud that his team held the Lake Norden offense in check.

“Definitely a lot of good things happening at the plate, but what I’m most proud of is our performance on the mound and defensively,” Kusler said.

Zens led the Smittys on the mound, pitching three innings and allowing zero runs on zero hits while striking out five. Eisenbiesz and Charlie Phillips pitched two innings apiece in relief. Eisenbeisz fanned two and Phillips struck out four.

“Phillip gave us a great start, filling up the zone and attacking hitters,” Kusler said. “Cooper and Charlie were solid in relief.”

With the win, Kusler said the team took positive steps as it looks forward to Thursday’s home doubleheader against Watertown.

“Lots of good things all the way around tonight,” Kusler said. “Definitely a step in the right direction as we turn the page to Watertown on Thursday.”

Aberdeen Smittys 413 035 0 – 16 13 0

Lake Norden 000 020 0 – 2 4 3

Cristhian Rodriguez, Turner Stevenson (4), Dawson Stormo (7) and Stormo, Stevenson; Philip Zens, Cooper Eisenbeisz (4), Charlie Phillips (6) and Andrew Woehl. 2B – Aberdeen Smittys, Gavyn Jaragoske, Cooper Eisenbiesz (2), Zane Backous, Andrew Woehl. HR – Aberdeen Smittys, Casey Vining.