by Max Mercy

PROCTOR -- Kole Zuildmulder outdueled Jake Malec in a pitcher's battle as Hermantown defeated Proctor in a Lake Superior Conference baseball game, 2-0, played at Proctor due to wet grounds at Hermantown.

The Hawks took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Luke Jaques walked, advanced to second base on an errant pick-off throw, and scored on an RBI single by Zuildmulder. The Hawks pushed another run across in the fourth inning on a suicide squeeze play. Batter Jace Thomas was out at first base on a nifty pitcher-to-second-baseman put-out, but not until Scott Wasbotten scored the Hawks' insurance run.

Proctor threatened with one out in the top of the fourth inning with consecutive singles by Shane Gould, Matt Morris, and Joe Carter to load the bases, but Zuildmulder got the next two batters out, both on the first pitch, to end the rally.

Zuildmulder tossed a complete game with eight hits and no walks. He had nine strikeouts. Malec (0-2, 4.38 ERA) allowed one earned run on three hits and five walks in six innings. He also had nine strikeouts.

Gould had two hits for Proctor (3-6). The Rails play in Hibbing's Bugliosi Wood Bat Tournament this weekend. They face Thief River Falls on Fri. at 4:30 p.m., Superior at 3 p.m. Sat., and Hibbing at 5:30 p.m. Sat. All games are at Hibbing's historic Al Nyberg Field.