BUCYRUS — The most runs Bucyrus had scored in a game this year was six — until Thursday afternoon.

The Redmen exploded for 13 runs in the fourth inning to defeat Carey, 14-4, in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game at Veterans’ Memorial Field.

In the pivotal fourth, Bucyrus (3-7, 3-3 N10) sent nine batters to the plate before the Blue Devils recorded the first out of the inning.

“We tried to create a little bit of chaos in that inning, and we did,” Bucyrus coach Sean Maudsley said. “It worked out for us. We hit the ball and that’s the key. We put the ball in play.”

Indeed. The Redmen banged out 11 hits in the frame. Mix in four walks and an error and the rout was on. None of the Bucyrus hits were for extra bases. In fact, a couple were bunts and infield hits.

“It starts with bunts,” Maudsley said. “It always has with us for some reason this year. Somebody gets a bunt put down or I call something with the signs. We get something going like that, it’s infectious and it permeates throughout the dugout.”

The first three innings were a pitchers’ duel between Carey (6-7, 2-5) starter Carter Frederick and the Redmen’s Kael Scott. Frederick faced two over the minimum, giving up just one hit, though an error did allow a Bucyrus run.  Scott retired the first nine Blue Devils in order.

Carey grabbed the lead briefly in the top of the fourth scoring two runs on three singles, two walks and a hit batter. But the advantage was short-lived.

After the offensive explosion in the bottom of the fourth, it was just a matter of getting three outs in the top of the fifth to end the game.

“We’re starting to get smarter and more selective with our swings,” Maudsley said. “In the early part of the year, we were swinging at things out of the strike zone, weren’t being patient. If that first pitch is in your zone, go ahead and take a good swing at it.”

That strategy worked to perfection in the fourth inning.

The Blue Devils tried to extend the game in the top of the fifth. With one out, Frederick was safe on an error and stole second. Ethan Burton struck out but reached first when the ball got by the catcher and the throw to first was in the dirt for an error which allowed Frederick to score.

Burton moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Ian Yeater. However, the next batter popped to the left of the mound and Scott made a diving catch for the second out. He scrambled up and threw to second, doubling off pinch runner Andrew Plott to end the game.

Carey had four singles, two by Yeater and one each by Frederick and Burton. Frederick gave up nine hits, striking out four and walking two.

“I have great respect for (Carey coach) Joey (Roark) and his program,” Maudsley said. “He does a great job with those kids. He’s kind of like us. He’s teaching too. They’ve got some talent at the top of that lineup.”

The Redmen finished with 12 hits. Nick Middleton, Kam Lewis, Malachi Bayless, and Chris Neale had two apiece. Scott, Tyson McDaniel, Cody Pennington, and Weston Delaney each had one.

Scott fanned six, walked two and hit a batter. He surrendered four runs only two of which were earned.

“We had a couple mental lapses tonight, a couple of physical lapses too,” Maudsley said. “For the most part — solid. We threw the ball well across the diamond, we fielded it well, we threw it well.”

Box score

Bucyrus 14, Carey 4 (5 innings)

Carey        000 22X X             4     4     2

Bucyrus   010 (13)XX X     14   12    3

WP: Kael Scott (6 SO, 2 W)

LP: Carter Frederick (4 SO, 2 W)

HR: None.

Triples: None.

Doubles: None.

Multiple hits: (C) Ian Yeater; (B) Nick Middleton, Kam Lewis, Malachi Bayless, Chris Neale.

Records: Carey 6-7, 2-5 N10; Bucyrus 3-7, 3-3 N10.

Next: Upper Sandusky at Carey, Friday; Willard at Bucyrus, Saturday.