by Max Mercy

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. -- Ryan McCarthy hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and had 10 RBI as the Rails defeated Moose Lake-Willow River in a non-conference baseball game at Moose Lake High School Field.

 

Jesse Scanlon hit a two-run single to left field in the first inning for the Rails' first hit of the 2011 season. McCarthy hit a three-run homer in the second inning to push the Rails lead to 5-0. The flood gates were thrown wide open in the third inning as the Rails scored seven runs, punctuated by McCarthy's grand slam, to take a 12-0 lead after two-and-a-half innings of play.

 

ML-WR clawed back with one run each in the third and fourth innings and a five-run outburst in the fifth inning that chased Proctor starter Jake Lewis with two outs in the inning.

 

Lewis (1-0, 4.50 ERA) earned the win. He was sharp in the early innings, having retired the first seven batters he faced, but later battled fatigue. Lewis allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits, four walks, and two hit batsmen in four-and-two-thirds innings. He had seven strikeouts.

 

Ben Nelson pitched the final two-and-one-third innings of scoreless, hitless relief. He allowed one walk and had three strikeouts.

 

McCarthy added a three-run single in the sixth inning. He came to bat with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, but a balk sent the runners ahead one base and McCarthy subsequently walked with first base unoccupied.

McCarthy's 10 RBI in a game ranks tied for second in state records compilied by the Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association. Cullen Schultz of Lester Prairie had 11 RBI in a game against Winsted Holy Trinity in 2000.

Ian Scherber hit two two-run doubles.

 

Proctor (1-0) is next in action at Mora on Sat., April 16, for a 1:00 p.m. non-conference game.

 

RAILS NOTES: Jake Lewis improved his career pitching record to 10-1, becoming the fourth pitcher in PHS history to record 10 or more wins…Lewis drew five walks as a batter against ML-WR, which is tied for the second-most in MSHSL single-game records…The Rails were granted 18 bases on balls by ML-WR pitchers, which is the third highest in MSHSL team records for a single-game…The Rails reached base safely (via hits, walks, and hit batsmen) 28 times, which is good for second-place in the MSHSL team single-game records.

 

20 -- Dale Nikko (1975-78)

11 -- Nik Peterson (1979-81)

10 -- Chris Kindgren (1985-87)

10 -- Jake Lewis (2009-

  9 -- Ray Miles (1981-82)

  9 -- Rick LaLonde (1985-87)

  9 -- Dan Carlson (2003-06)