Justin St. Ours | Daily Press Bark River’s Johnnie Robinette slides into home as Niagara’s Christian Hedmark (right) attempts to tag Wednesday at Bark River. Looking on for Bark River is Travis Mack (17).

BARK RIVER — The Bark River Bucs appeared to be in mid-season form in their home opener Wednesday, cruising to a pair of lopsided wins over Niagra, Wis., 14-2 and 20-3 in U.P. Under-19 baseball action.

“Today it felt like everyone was used to playing baseball again,” Bucs manager Matt Richer Jr. said. “They had a game under them already, so they came ready to hit. I think they played really well today.”

Both games finished in the fourth innings – the first after the Bucs jumped ahead 13-1 in the first inning.

Niagara found more of a groove in the second game, quickly racking up three runs in the top of the first.

However, Bark River’s Nick Javurek hit a ground single for the Bucs to lead off the bottom of the first.

“Nick Javurek had a nice game,” Richer said. “He was our lead-off hitter, and he set the table for us. He got our other hitters ready, and he got some steals on the bases. I think he was very active in this game. He was a big help to us.”

Wyatt Riley then walked to set up a big line drive to right field from Zach Englund to push both runners in and cut the Bucs’ deficit to 3-2.

“Zach Englund started our first game, and he pitched really well,” Richer said. “He got us through the first three innings but we had a pitch count on him, so we weren’t going to let him go anymore. He had six RBIs today, so he did really well at the plate also.”

Bark River’s Johnnie Robinette floated a hit into center field to reach base on an error from Niagara.

After another walk to load the bases and a strikeout, Niagra pitcher Nolan Amundson walked Adrian Mercier to push Englund in and tie the score 3-3.

Amundson managed another strikeout to make it two outs, but a fly ball to right field from Josiah Javurek allowed both Robinette and Max Hall to cross home plate and give the Bucs a 5-3 advantage.

“Jo(siah) Javurek is a young kid, but he had six RBIs today as well,” Richer said. “So I think he did really well at the plate. I think the whole team did well there, really. Everyone hit really well today.”

Zach Robinette managed to score before the final out, putting Bark River ahead 6-3 at the end of the inning.

The status quo was maintained until the bottom of the third, when the Bucs suddenly found their bats again and proceeded to rack up 14 runs despite a Niagara pitching change mid-inning.

Niagara took a turn at-bat in the top of the fourth but couldn’t make up any ground before the game was called.

Bark River now visits Escanaba for a league tournament game Friday night.

“I hope we go (to the tournament) and have fun,” Richer said. “Anything can happen. It would be nice to go there and put on a good show for all these bigger schools, but it’s just about having fun.

“Most of (the players) can probably go four or five (innings pitching), but all the kids that have only pitched one or two innings I’m going to keep a restriction on. They haven’t thrown a whole lot this year, but I’ll probably keep a decent amount of restrictions on (everyone) until I feel like they’re ready or getting ready at least.”