Rails, Agates reach finals

by JIM GOEBEL Of the News-Tribune staff

Most baseball coaches will agree it is pitching that wins games in tournament play. And Tuesday was no exception, but ironically, it was two pitchers with nagging injuries that gave Proctor and Two Harbors semifinal victories in Sub-Region 3 at Wade Stadium.

Defending Region 7AA champion Proctor whipped East 6-0 behind the one-hit pitching of Dale Nikko and the Agates' Bon Barthell held off a last-inning rally by Aurora-Hoyt Lakes for a 2-1 triumph.

Proctor and Two Harbors will now play for the Sub-Region 3 championship at Wade Stadium next Tuesday at 7 p.m. However, the two teams will get a feel of each other at Proctor Thursday in a regular season make-up game, which could give Proctor the Lake Superior Conference championship with a victory.

Nikko, who pulled a hamstring muscle in his right leg last Saturday, struck out eight. Barthell has seen limited action all season because of a back injury, but he too was untouchable, striking out 13 and throwing a four-hitter...

...In the first game, Nikko pitched with the poise that got Proctor to the state tournament a year ago. Nikko is now 5-0 in regional playoffs the last two years. This year he is 9-0 and recorded his second shutout.

The ace Proctor righthander constantly had East swinging late, testified by first baseman Joe Gaboury's four unassisted putouts. Nikko was in complete command and did not allow any runners past first base.

Although he had one walk and hit two batters he only threw 78 pitches, mostly with his fastball.

It was easy going from the start for Nikko as the Rails jumped into a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Rails, 13-3, scored twice again in the fifth inning and once each in the third and sixth innings...

(Duluth News Tribune, May 25, 1977)