HERMANTOWN -- Proctor advanced to the section championship for the second consecutive season with a 9-0 win over Hermantown in the Section 7AA Playoffs semifinals. Ben Nelson led the Rails at the plate and on the mound. Nelson collected three hits and three RBIs and threw a four-hit shutout for his ninth complete game of the season, a new school record.

 

Nelson (7-2, 1.68 ERA) allowed four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. He now has nine complete games in nine games started. The previous record of eight complete games was set by Dale Nikko in 1977.

 

The first five batters scored in the top of the first inning, punctuated by a two-run double by Nelson. Proctor scored five runs in the first, two in the second, and two in the third inning.

 

Evan Scherber had two hits and an RBI for Proctor.

 

Losing pitcher Joe Muench allowed six earned runs on seven hits, one walk, one intentional walk, and one hit batsman in two innings. Reliever Kole Zuidmulder allowed one earned run on two hits, five walks, and one hit batsman in five innings.

 

Neal Pionk had two hits for Hermantown.

 

Proctor will play against Cloquet for the section championship on Thursday, June 7, at 5:00 p.m. at Hermantown. Cloquet defeated Mora 6-1 and then defeated Hermantown 2-0 to advance to its second championship game in three years, having won the section championship in 2010.