An error allowed the first two runs to come across for the Hayfield/Austin Athletics, and the host Rochester Blues never rebounded from the miscue in a 7-3 A's victory in the Twin Rivers League playoffs Friday night at Hudson Field.

The fourth-seeded Athletics (12-18) upended the top-seeded Blues in the first game of a best-of-three series after losing their last meeting with Rochester 27-2 during the regular season. Memories of that game were quickly eliminated as Jon Severson tossed the complete-game victory with 13 hits worth of support behind him.

"We got two in the first off the shortstop's throwing error, and that really helped us get going," said A's player/coach Troy Holtz. "They never got it going after that."

The A's took a 3-0 lead in the fourth, but the Blues matched it with a run. H/A scored two more in the fifth, Rochester again answered. But the host Blues could not get their own rally going against Severson, who struck out six, walked six, and scattered seven hits over nine innings.

"Jonny bucked up and got guys out," Holtz said. "It was just a great game. Jon was money tonight."

The best-of-three series moved to Hayfield Saturday, but results of the 5 p.m. game were not available until after press time. If necessary, a deciding third game would be played tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Hudson Field in Rochester.

Every batter in the Hayfield/Austin order had at least one hit, led by two apiece from Lee Aadahl Nick Bowe, Al Dahlen and Jamie Pratt. Adam Linbo, Eric Schmeling and Jamie Morrison all had run-scoring singles.

"A lot of guys had some big hits for RBIs for us," Holtz said.

Linescore:

Hayf/Aus200120011--7

Rochester000120000--3

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.