Brother Rice’s Dylan Robertson knows one of the most important spots in the batting order will be who follows No. 3 hitter Jack Payton.

Opponents are likely to pitch around Payton, a Louisville recruit, and take their chances with a less-heralded cleanup hitter.

Robertson, who bats left-handed, showed he’s capable of filling that hole.

The senior delivered an RBI single and a three-run double Monday to lead the Crusaders to a 10-0 victory over Mount Carmel in a Richards Sectional opener.

The first-round game was called after five innings because of the 10-run rule.

Brother Rice (8-2) advanced to play at 10 a.m. Tuesday against the winner of Monday’s other first-round game between Marist and St. Laurence.

Mount Carmel (3-1) was scheduled to play the Marist-St. Laurence loser at 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Robertson made it clear he wants to be the one batting behind Payton the rest of the summer and into next spring.

“I want that role,” Robertson said. “I want to be the guy, if they’re going to walk Payton, to be ready to go behind him. I can be that guy.”

Brother Rice coach Sean McBride believes Robertson has the ability to thrive in that role.

“When Dylan has his confidence going, he can be a very good player,” McBride said. “We need someone to protect Jack, and Dylan better be that guy.”

After Payton coaxed a two-out walk in the first inning, Robertson lined a single to give Brother Rice a 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Payton was intentionally walked to load the bases. Robertson came through win a bases-clearing double down the right-field line for a 7-0 lead.

The Crusaders totaled nine hits. Luke Lawrence drove in two runs with a single and a double. Alex Roche added an RBI double, Jack Landmesser had an RBI single and Nick Daugherty contributed a sacrifice fly.

Robertson received some playing time as a junior last season. He thinks that experience is paying off.

“I was trying to do too much in the spring,” he said. “I was trying to get the big hit every time. I know I need to relax and stay confident. Stay within myself. I love the game.”

McBride loved the way senior right-hander Luke Whirity threw the ball. Whirity struck out six and allowed just two hits, a single to Nick Miketinac and a double to Gavin Terry.

Whirity is hoping to earn a spot next season in the starting rotation.

“My curveball was working (Monday),” he said. “I was trying to keep them off balance. I’m more of a contact pitcher. I let my defense make plays.”

Mount Carmel played without its top two players, Oklahoma recruit Ed Howard and Northwestern commit Tony Livermore. Both had travel team obligations.

“A couple of innings we gave them more than three outs,” Mount Carmel coach Brian Hurry said.

“It definitely wasn’t a clean game by us. But give Rice credit, they took advantage of our mistakes.”