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FOXBORO - It took the whole season for the Foxboro American Legion baseball team to claw its way into first place in District 6 West, claiming the top spot on the final day of the season.

And it took just one inning for Post 93 to show Holbrook exactly why they are the top seed, as Foxboro scored six runs in the third inning en route to an easy, 11-3 victory in the first game of a three-game, opening playoff series.

"I told them to jump on them and let them know they're not going to beat you and that's what they did," Foxboro coach Bill Travers said.

Foxboro was held hitless through the first two innings but managed to get on the board in the second, Chuck Erickson coming around to score after a leadoff walk thanks to a Holbrook error, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly by Andrew Bukuras. But Foxboro's bats didn't stay quiet for long. Jimmy Gilmore led the third inning off with a walk before Billy McGee singled. Nick Thrasher followed with a four-pitch walk to load the bases before pitcher Mike Farrell helped his own cause, crushing a double to deep right-center that scored Gilmore and Thrasher as Foxboro took a 3-0 lead.

The runs would keep coming for Post 93 off Norwood pitcher Jamie Whitley in the inning. Erickson followed Farrell's double with his second walk in as many innings before Matt Cote hit a sacrifice fly to score a run, Thrasher daringly taking off for home on a fly to the second baseman in shallow center. Nick Carafa knocked in another Foxboro run with a single, Bukuras followed with an RBI double on the first pitch he saw and Joe Clagg brought in the sixth and final run of the inning with a groundout to first as Post 93 sent 10 batters to the plate in the frame.

"All of a sudden they just found holes," Travers said. "They didn't think (Whitley) was throwing that hard and I think they were trying to pull the ball, and that's when we get in trouble."

Foxboro added three more runs in the fourth, two on an RBI single by Cote, and one more in the fifth to maintain a comfortable lead. Foxboro's seven through nine hitters knocked in six runs while the four through six hitters scored a combined seven times.

"I think they have more confidence after the Norwood game, they started that rally in the sixth," Travers said of his bottom of the order hitters, referencing Post 93's come-from-behind win over Norwood that gave the team first place.

Foxboro's patience at the plate played a key role in the victory. Although Post 93 was outhit by Holbrook 9-7 Foxboro drew eight walks to Holbrook's two.

Farrell was efficient on the mound for Post 93, throwing just 68 pitches in six innings while surrendering only one run. The start was huge for Foxboro, which is missing pitcher Brian Swanton (foot injury) and was holding top hurler Joe Swindells until today when he will be on full rest.

Farrell, who returned from a college visit on Monday, found out that night he would be pitching in the opening playoff game. The righty was shaky in the first inning, but got a big double play with runners at first and third and one out and cruised from there.

"I was only looking for three innings and I was going to piece it together," Travers said. "Farrell getting six innings was huge."

Cote relieved Farrell in the sixth to close the game out, surrendering two two-out runs. Foxboro can now advance to the next round of the playoffs for the first time since 2001 with a win today at Holbrook. Post 93's ace and Mansfield High product Swindells will get the ball for the game.

"I'm looking for a strong outing tomorrow from Joe," Travers said. "Our goal is to win the first two games and then you get some time off. (Monday) was our first day off in I don't know how long."

The game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Holbrook 000 010 2-3 9 3

Foxboro 016 310 x-11 7 0

Whitley, Weiner(4) and Duggan; Farrell, Cote (7) and McGee; W-Farrell L-Whitley.