Kurt Russell insists he didn’t discover the secret to hitting. The Western Oklahoma State head coach said his training methods are nothing new.

“We just hit and hit and hit,’’ said Russell.

Hit the Pioneers do.

Going into the NJCAA Division II World Series, Western boasted a team batting average of .406 and 139 home runs, best in the nation.

Pioneers were up to the old tricks again Saturday in a first-round game against Des Moines (Iowa), banging out nine hits, five of them for extra bases, in a 9-1 run-rule victory.

One of the hitting stars was Dover’s Newt Compton who had four RBI and hit a two-run homer to end the game.

“Newt put up some big numbers in a big game at this ballpark in front of all his fans,’’ said Russell. “I’m really happy for him.’’

Fifth-ranked Western (53-10) will try to keep it going on Monday when it faces defending national champion and No. 1-ranked LSU-Eunice (49-10) in a winner’s bracket game beginning at noon at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.

LSU-Eunice advanced on Saturday with an 11-7 win over Monroe (N.Y.). The Bengals are undecided on Monday’s starting pitcher, but it likely will be either Stefan Comeaux (6-0, 3.11 ERA) or Joey Bourgeios (11-2, 5.44), and they will have to find a way to contain Western’s lethal batting lineup.

Russell puts an emphasis on repetitions in the batting cage. During offseason workouts, players average about 750 cuts a day for five days a week with the coaching staff, and most of the players work out more on their own. During the season, players hit at night, many times in the wee hours with Russell alongside.

“I couldn’t do that without my wife (Priscilla) understanding,’’ he said.

Russell said quality cage work is more important than total swings.

One of his cage drills is throwing high-velocity pitches to his batters from close range.

“That slows the game down for them,’’ he said. “When we’re in the cage, I throw hard, what might be the equivalent of a 100 mph pitch. Then they get in the game and 90 mph doesn’t seem so fast.’’

Another drill is to throw popcorn kernels to his batters from close range.

“It’s fun and it helps to keep your head still and focus on something small,’’ he said.

Russell said working on a player’s hitting mechanics are important, but just as important is the mental aspect of hitting. He teaches players about their hitting strengths and weaknesses, and when to look for a certain pitch location on a certain count. He also uses video as a training tool.

Russell said Jamaine Cotton (10-3, 3.97) will start for the Pioneers today.

“He should be a good matchup with those guys and all their left-handed hitters,’’ he said.

Monday’s game figures to be one of the early-tournament classics.

“They are just another team,’’ said Russell. “They say that to be the best you have to beat the best, and everybody says they are the best.’’