A week away from the game might have allowed Gaven Schlaak to get in touch with his power hitting again.

Schlaak lifted New Richland over Glenville-Emmons with a fourth inning grand slam to left field as Post 75 powered its way to a 10-5 first round playoff win Wednesday in New Richland.

“I took a couple of cuts before practice in the cage and I felt pretty good,” Schlaak said. “Line shots is what I normally do, but got it over the fence tonight so it happens.”

It was the first time Schlaak connected for a grand slam and it was his first home run since the 10th grade.

“That grand slam was huge,” said New Richland coach Joe McGuire. “It got us a bigger lead so we had some support and have a couple of runs to sit on.”

The blast gave Post 75 a 8-3 lead and that was all it needed to stay alive in the playoffs. It also erased a terrible third inning in the field for New Richland where it committed three errors and allowed a run to score on a throwing miscue.

“We made a lot of mistakes early, but we buckled down and made plays,” McGuire said.

Post 264 had a difficult time keeping up with Post 75 offensively. The top of the order scored all five runs for Glenville-Emmons, but the bottom half of the order failed to cash in quality scoring opportunities, stranding seven runners.

“The top of the order did well,” said Post 264 coach Cary Williamson. “Couldn’t get the hits when we needed them, couldn’t get nothing going in the bottom of the order.”

Logan Hansen and Zack Williamson each scored twice for Glenville-Emmons, but the bottom third of the order struck out six times.

Post 264 held a brief lead after the third inning, but New Richland struck for two runs in the third to regain the lead at 4-3 and then Schlaak unloaded on a pitch from Glenville-Emmons starter Jon Mittag.

Post 75 used three pitchers in the win as it continues to find the right pitching combination.

New Richland plays Byron Friday in Stewartville with its back against the wall.

“We either win or go home,” Schlaak said. “They’ve got good batters and they put the ball in play. If we make the plays it will be a close game against them.”

New Richland 10, Glenville-Emmons 5

Glenville-Emmons – 003 020 0 – 5 5 3

New Richland – 202 420 x – 10 9 3

WP – Brent Hagen 3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

LP – Jon Mittag 6 IP, 9 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 BB, 6 K