The Baton Rouge River Bats, ranked first in the Southeastern League, made quick work of Selma in the first of a three-game series.

John Renfro, Selma’s starting pitcher, gave up two singles to start the game. With two outs in the top of the first, Baton Rouge pulled a double steal. A runner from first got caught in a run-down, allowing the River Bats’ Kevin Perret to score from third.

Selma came back in the bottom half of the first off Baton Rouge pitcher Corey Avrard.

Joe Colvin walked to lead-off the game and advance to second on a ground-out to short. He advanced to third on a sacrifice fly and scored on Avrard’s wild pitch. The Leafs added one more run in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead.

That ray of hope for Selma ended quickly.

The River Bats (20-11) picked up two in the top half of the third and one more in the top of the fifth. Eric Brown drove in all three of the runners with a single to left in the second, and then a two out double over the left fielder’s head to score one more in the fifth.

The top of the sixth began the route for the River Bats. Renfro put runners on first and third first with a walk and then a wild pitch. John Learson entered the game in the top of the sixth in relief for Renfro and gave up a double to score two, giving Baton Rouge a 7-2 lead. Renfro, for the night, gave up seven runs, seven hits, he struck out six and walked two.

The top of the seventh started another big inning for the River Bats. They tacked on three more runs to make the final score 10-3.

The Cloverleafs (15-15) tried to rally in the bottom of the eighth. Jose Colon singled in a runner from second to pick up the Leafs third and final run of the game.

Again, the Leafs struggled to get fans to the stadium. Just 164 attended Tuesday’s game. The Leafs and Baton Rouge play against tonight at 7 p.m.