Jake Arel of Rogers Post 153 slides into home plate as Locke Mills pitcher Zach Hill covers the plate on a wild pitch during the first inning in Auburn on Thursday. Arel’s run tied the game at 1-1.  (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

AUBURN — Gavin Bates’ solo home run to lead off the third sparked a nine-run inning for Rogers Post in a 14-4 win over Locke Mills in six innings in American Legion baseball action Thursday.

Bates had three RBIs and three hits in the contest. Oren Shaw had two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs. Jake Arel had three hits and three runs, and Giles Paradie had a double and a single.

Damien St. Pierre struck out nine in five innings for Rogers Post.

Garrett Garbarini had a triple and a single and drove in a run for Locke Mills.

Rogers Post manager Dave Jordan high fives Gavin Bates as Bates rounds third base following a solo shot home run during the third inning against Locke Mills in Auburn on Thursday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Rogers Post 153 shortstop Tyler Blanchard puts the tag on Dylan Desroches of Locke Mills as Desroches tries to get back to second base during the first inning in Auburn on Thursday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Tanner Wheeler of Locke Mills comes to the plate to score a run off of a triple by Garrett Garbarini during the third inning against Rogers Post 153 in Auburn on Thursday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Mason Brushwein of Rogers Post 153 reacts after hitting an RBI bunt against Lock Mills in Auburn on Thursday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Gawain Tibbetts of Rogers Post 153 reaches third base as the ball flies out of the reach of Locke Mills third baseman Garrett Garbarini during the third inning in Auburn on Thursday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)