Like any comedian knows, timing is everything.

Tyler Thackston continued to show good timing as he belted a grand slam home run at the right time and Fairland won a laugher 17-5 in five innings over Bucyrus Saturday in the second round of the Junior League State All-Star Tournament.

"We had some timely hits," Fairland coach John Bond said. "(Adam) Berry yesterday and Thackston today. That's how it's been. There's always one kid who comes through and gets us going. Three or four times in the district Thackston got us going like he did today."

Fairland plays Eaton at 5 p.m. Sunday in the winner's bracket.

Michael Lamb limited Bucyrus to two hits as he picked up the win.

"Lamb struggled at first, but after we got the lead he was throwing darts," Bond said.

Bucyrus went to work right away with three runs in the top of the first inning when Dillon Gibson and Christian Ross both walked and Tyler Haldeman smacked a three-run homer.

In the bottom of the first, Fairland got a run back when Ethan Long singled, moved up on a passed ball, took third on Berry's ground out and came home on an errant pickoff throw.

Bucyrus failed to score in the second inning and Fairland got a run to get within 3-2 in the bottom of the inning when Lamb and Tyler Godby singled and Zach Matasich beat out an infield roller as the run scored.

The game changed for good in the third inning as Fairland rode the bat of Thackston.

Long singled, Berry walked, Robbie Easterling singled and Thackston cranked his grand slam and it was 6-3.

Fairland put the game out of reach in the fourth inning by scoring 11 runs on seven hits, four walks and a hit batsman.

Matt Bloomfield got a bunt single to start the rally. Long walked and Berry and Easterling singled in runs.

Thackston walked, Godby was hit by a pitch and Matasich singled in a run. Dan Puckett had a two-run single, Bloomfield, Long and Berry all walked, Easterling beat out an infield hit and Thackston had an RBI single.

Long went 2-for-2 and Easterling 2-3 as Fairland's offense generated seven hits.

Haldeman and Britt Cox had the only Bucyrus hits.

Bucyrus30002=526

Fairland114(11)x=1786

Tyler Haldeman (7-H, 14-R, 5-K, 5-BB, 1-HBP), Michael Metcalf (4) and Michael Sherer. Michael Lamb, Tyler Thackston (5) and Tyler Godby. W-Lamb (2-H, 3-R, 3-BB, 4-K,1-HBP). L-Haldeman (7-H, 14-r, 5-K, 5-BB). Thackston (1-K, 2-BB, 2-R). HR-Bucyrus: Tyler Haldeman; Fairland: Tyler Thackston (GS). Hitting-Bucyrus: Tyler Haldeman 1-3, Britt Cox 1-2; Fairland: Robbie Easterling 2-3, Ethan Long 2-2, Matt Bloomfield 1-3, Zach Matasich 1-2, Daniel Puckett 1-1.