SYRACUSE — The Southern Tier Regulators took their first step toward qualifying for the Babe Ruth 16-18 World Series on Saturday afternoon.

After falling behind 6-5 in the top of the fifth inning, Southern Tier scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame and hung on for a 7-6 win in the opening game of the Middle Atlantic Regional.

Adam Goot singled with one out in the bottom of the fifth and Nick Crandall reached on an error. After an out, Aaron Hair hit a two-run single to center field to give the Regulators the lead.

Southern Tier scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 4-1 lead. Crandall led off with a triple and scored on a Trey Swartz ground out. Hair and Bryce Jackson followed with back-to-back singles before a Kyler Majka single.

Lance Baldensperger hit an RBI single to give Southern Tier a 2-1 lead before Aidan Morrison hit a two-out, two-run single.

After Lackawanna scored two in the top of the third, the Regulators responded with a run as Goot led off with a triple and later scored on a wild pitch.

Lackawanna made it 5-5 in the top of the fourth and took a 6-5 lead in the top of the fifth before Southern Tier rallied for the win.

Baldensperger, Morrison and Hair each had two hits for the Regulators. One of Baldensperger’s hits was a double.

Hair threw the first 3 2/3 innings, striking out four before Goot threw 2 1/3 innings. Majka picked up the save with a scoreless seventh inning, striking out a batter.

Southern Tier will return to action at 9:30 a.m. Monday when it takes on Pine Forge (Pa.) in the winner’s bracket quarterfinals.