Trailing 2-0 after the top of the first inning, Steve O'Donnell dug into the box looking for redemption.

The Karns City pitcher had been on the wrong side of some bad luck and a string of hits in Redbank Valley's first crack at him in the District 9 Class 2A playoffs at Michelle Krill Field at Historic Pullman Park Tuesday afternoon.

Now was his chance to answer back at the plate.

He did with a triple over the head of the Redbank Valley right fielder to begin a five-run inning.

The runs kept coming for the Gremlins.

And coming. And coming.

Karns City scored 17 unanswered runs in a 17-2, three-inning walloping of the Bulldogs.

“I knew I had to get it started off, lead the team,” O'Donnell said. “Being the leadoff guy, I know I'm the spark plug of the team.”

Every batter in the Karns City lineup had at least one hit or one RBI. O'Donnell went 3-for-3 with two RBI. Cam Blair also went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI and Connor Schaffner ended the game with a two-run single with no one out in the bottom of the third to cap an eight-run inning.

“We pounded the ball today,” said Karns City coach Josh “Sluggo” Smith.

Smith and his staff had anticipated more days like this one this season. The Gremlins had an experienced, deep lineup, but the offense had been inconsistent at times throughout the season.

The onslaught finally came — and at a great time to kick off the district playoffs.

“We were just waiting for it to come out,” Smith said. “We have some animals in our lineup and it showed today.”

Karns City (11-5) chased Redbank Valley starter Bryson Bain in the first inning. Bain was able to just get one out while walking three and coughing up three hits — two for extra bases.

Nick Smith relieved him and got a double play to get out of the inning. But that was the highlight of the day for four Bulldog hurlers.

Karns City's lineup was just too fierce.

“When everyone started hitting, we just flipped the switch,” Blair said. “It was just an amazing feeling. I can't really explain how it felt.”

O'Donnell could.

It made him feel relieved.

O'Donnell settled down after the first inning, which began with a bad-hop single to the first hitter Nick Smith and followed with a RBI triple and RBI single. O'Donnell, though, felt a lot better going out to the hill up 5-2 after one inning.

“I'm a guy that I know I don't have an electric fastball. I'm not going to strike out a ton of guys. I have to pound the zone. I know that,” O'Donnell said. “When you get a comfortable lead, it makes me hungry to get back out there and get them back in the dugout so our hitters can do more damage.”

Karns City will play Moniteau in the semifinals Thursday at Pullman Park.

Karns City didn't have the best track record against Redbank Valley (6-8) this season. The Bulldogs beat the Gremlins 11-1 earlier in the year.

“They actually 10-runned us,” Smith said. “I'd say there was a little flame there that sparked in a few guys. I'm just happy for them. There were a lot of seniors on that field who didn't want this to be their last game.”

Redbank Valley 200 xxx x — 2 4 2

Karns City 548 xxx x — 17 13 0

W: Steve O'Donnell 3IP (1K, 1BB). L: Bryson Bain 1IP (0K, 3BB).

Redbank Valley (6-8): Nick Smith 1B, Hunter Buzard 3B, Blaney Brooks 2-1B RBI

Karns City (11-5): Steve O'Donnell 3B 2-1B 2-RBI, Josh Whitmire RBI, Tyler Yough 1B 2-RBI, Jack Weckerly 2-1B RBI, Ty Belles 2-1B 2-RBI, Cam Blair 2B 2-1B 3-RBI, Connor Schaffner 1B 2-RBI, Josh Wimer 1B, Colton Hutchison 2B 1B

Thursday: Karns City vs. Moniteau in District 9 2A semifinal, at Pullman Park, 6 p.m.