The Hays Eagles Junior American Legion won their “A” state tourney opener Tuesday in Salina, scoring three in the top of the seventh for a 3-2 win over Clearwater.

Layne Downing, who went the distance allowing just three hits to pick up the win on the mound, helped his cause at the plate with a double down the left field line to drive in the game tying and game winning runs.

The Junior Eagles will now play Sedgwick at six o’clock tonight in the second round after their 9-1 win over Atchison.