Rails clinch at least tie for LSC crown

Proctor clinched at least a tie for the Lake Superior Conference baseball title Saturday with a 4-2 victory over Denfeld at Hermantown.

The Rails jumped off to a 2-0 lead in the first inning by bunching three walks, a hit batsman and Joe Gaboury's sacrifice fly, They added another run in the second on a single by Dale Nikko, a sacrifice, a walk and an error on a double steal.

Nikko knocked in an insurance run in the sixth, but the Rails' star pitcher pulled a hamstring muscle while trying to steal a base and left the game. He had allowed only two hits and struck out seven in five innings of pitching.

His replacement, Denny Gulbranson, got into trouble in the seventh inning by walking the bases loaded. Mike Grover relieved Gulbranson and walked one run in but allowed only one more run before retiring the side and assuring Proctor of the LSC title. It is now tied with Central and Silver Bay for first place. But Proctor can win the title outright by beating Two Harbors Monday.

(Duluth News Tribune, May 22, 1977)