The quest for their first state title since 1986 got off to a good start Wednesday night for the Laramie Rangers. They won their opening game over the host Gillette Rustlers 10-3 at the Wyoming State 'A' American Legion Baseball Tournament.

Laramie pounded out 14 hits offensively, took advantage of five Gillette errors and utilized five big runs in the sixth and seventh innings to advance in the winner's bracket.

They jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first thanks to an RBI ground-out from Drew Burman and an RBI single from Kacey Bernaski, while Alex Jordan scored on a wild pitch. Gillette answered with two runs in the first. Then both teams scored a run in the second.

Laramie manager Rich Wilson said to get an early lead certainly helped. "If you follow us for the year, you'll see if we can do that, we have a lot more confidence. We play a lot more relaxed, and good things usually happen. That was a positive thing."

With Rangers leading 4-3 through three innings, Tommy Johnson's RBI single in the fourth put them ahead 5-3. Laramie then scored three unearned runs on three hits and three Gillette errors in the sixth. Burman smacked an RBI double, while Taylor Dodd followed with the same three batters later that made it 8-3. Abel Casas scored after two straight wild pitches, which followed his one-out double in the seventh. Burman wrapped up the scoring, as he also added an RBI sacrifice fly in the seventh for the final 10-3 advantage.

Six different Rangers had two hits apiece, while Burman led the way with three RBI's. Laramie also utilized six walks and four stolen bases.

As for taking advantage of their miscues, Wilson said, "That's what we've talked about all year. Any time you get a chance, move up, and be aggressive. Challenge them to throw. They've got to make a good throw. Some times they do, some times they don't. You won't know until you keep putting that pressure on."

The Rangers had four pitchers combine for the victory. Chance Jones started and got the win on the mound. He went three innings and gave up three runs, only one earned, on five hits with one walk. Bernaski, Burman and Casas combined for 10 strikeouts to shut the Rustlers out over the final six frames.

The win puts Laramie in a good position, as the Rangers hope it's a good weekend.

Wilson added, "That's the name of the game. It's just one day at a time."

Laramie (32-17-1) will play the Douglas Cats Thursday night in their second game of the Wyoming State 'A' American Legion Baseball Tournament in Gillette. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

You can listen to Laramie Rangers baseball on KOWB (AM 1290), online or through your mobile device with the radioPup app. Coverage will start at 6:45 p.m. David Settle will call the action from Gillette.

More From KOWB 1290