Saltillo is a region champion and one of the favorites to win the MHSAA Class 6A baseball championship, and on Friday it showed the Vicksburg Gators why.

Easton Reynolds homered, Levin Darsey was 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored, and Saltillo scored in every inning as it beat Vicksburg 10-0 in Game 1 of a first-round Class 6A playoff series.

Mincer Minor led off the game with a triple for Vicksburg (6-21), but that was its only hit. Jordan Evers struck out seven batters in four scoreless innings, and Ben Monaghan pitched the fifth inning before Saltillo (19-5) finished it via the run rule.

The Tigers steadily added to their lead throughout the game. Baylor Roberts, the MHSAA’s Mr. Baseball for Class 6A, drew a bases loaded walk in the first inning and Darsey hit a two-run double in the second to make it 3-0.

Saltillo didn’t really start to pull away until the fourth inning, when Reynolds’ solo home run highlighted a four-run rally that extended its lead to 9-0.

Saltillo only had five hits, but drew seven walks and had five hit batters.

The Tigers will go for the sweep Saturday at 6 p.m. at Vicksburg High’s Showers Field. If Game 3 is needed it will at Saltillo Monday at 6 p.m.