Rails use bats and solid pitching to down Mesabi East

In a game where the Rails needed to show some offensive production, they answered the call with an offensive display that saw two home runs by junior Kyle Cotrell and 12 runs total in the game.

Senior Jon Kent pitched another gem with the complete game shutout and only two hits allowed to go along with seven strikeouts.

The Rails opened the game up early with one run in the first and then the second inning saw a six-run rally capped off by a Kyle Cotrell three-run blast off of Mesabi East pitcher Alex Loe.

In the fourth inning, the Rails were able to score four more runs off of Giant pitcher Nate Holmstrom with another Cotrell bomb, this time a two-run shot to left field.

Other offensive leaders for the Rails included sophomore Tim Nylund, who went 2-for-2 and scored three runs. Also, sophomore Eric Makitalo had two hits and two runs scored along with senior Jon Kent who hammered two triples in the game and had two RBIs.

The Rails are now 3-0 and will travel to Lake Superior Conference rival Two Harbors on Friday to open conference action.

(Proctor Rails Baseball website)

Baseball shuts out ME in home opener

by The Sports Guy

It took only five innings for the Proctor baseball team to win their home opener over Mesabi East and bring their 2007 season record to a perfect 3-0. The Rails shut out the Giants 12-0 in a Thurs., April 19, game shortened by the MSHSL high-scoring rule.

Junior Kyle Cotrell starred at the plate, blasting two home runs, a three-run in the second inning and a two-run in the fourth. Cotrell finished with five RBI's for the game. Sophomore Tim Nylund was similarly impressive at bat...[with two hits and] scoring three times. Senior Jon Kent hit two triples while pitching all five innings. Kent allowed only two hits while striking out seven Giants...

(Proctor Journal, April 26, 2007)