by Max Mercy

DULUTH -- Proctor won the Section 7AA championship for the first time since 1976 by defeating Hermantown 4-3 in the second game of the championship round at Wade Stadium.

 

Proctor staked an early lead with single runs in the first and second innings. Jesse Scanlon walked with one out in the first. He moved to second base on a single by Ryan McCarthy, and gained third base when Justin Scanlon was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ian Scherber walked with two outs to score Jesse Scanlon.

 

In the second inning, Jimmy Merling singled with one out, got to second base on a single by Tyler Pionk, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on an RBI groundout by McCarthy.

 

Hermantown took a 3-2 lead when they chased Proctor starter Jake Lewis after a walk, a single, and two more walks to lead off the fourth inning. Reliever Ben Nelson allowed an RBI single to Connor Lucas, and Brian LeBlanc grounded into an RBI fielder's choice that forced Lucas out at second base before Cody Baker grounded into an inning-ending double play.

 

Proctor's freshman designated hitter Evan Scherber led off the top of the sixth inning with a single and was lifted for pinch runner Jack Nikko. Merling sacrificed Nikko to second and Nikko reached third on a single by Tyler Pionk. Pionk scampered to second base as the throw from the outfield went to home plate. Jesse Scanlon then hit a game-tying RBI single that scored Nikko and moved Pionk to third base. Pionk scored the go-ahead run on McCarthy's RBI ground out to the right side of the infield.

 

Nelson (6-1, 2.31 ERA), who allowed no runs on two hits and one walk in four innings of relief, earned the win.

 

Jesse Scanlon and Pionk had two hits each for Proctor. Cody Baker had two hits for Hermantown.