IOWA FALLS — A big first inning allowed the St. Edmond baseball team to secure a road North Central Conference win here Friday night over Iowa Falls-Alden, 12-7.

Tyler McDowell picked up the victory on the mound, striking out eight over six-plus innings for the Gaels (2-3 overall, 2-2 in league). He also helped his own cause with two hits and two RBI at the plate.

Hayden Derrig had three hits, scored three runs, drove in two and stole two bases with a triple, while Kinnick Henning had two runs, a pair of RBI and swiped three bags.

“We ran the bases very well and did a lot of the little things we have been preaching,” SEHS head coach Mike Szalat said. “Tyler really battled through not having his best stuff.

“We were able to jump on their pitcher who is an eighth-grader early. He’s going to be a stud so to get some runs up was a big deal for us.”

JT Laufersweiler, who came on in relief of McDowell and struck out two, also had a double, a run and drove in another run.

John Nemmers scored twice, Quintin Jaeschke stole two bases, Joe Touney had an RBI and a run, and Jack McElroy had a run scored.

St. Edmond heads to Carroll on Saturday for the CYO Tournament, opening with Carroll Kuemper at 10 a.m.