Aaron Slattengren's triple knocked in two runs in the eighth inning, including the game-winner, as the Rails won at Hibbing.

Slattengren also picked up the win after coming in to pitch in the seventh inning. He finished with four RBIs. Teammate Ryon Morgando added three hits.

Brad Willis had a two-run home run, and Chris Zubich and Kevin Lee added two hits each for Hibbing (8-12).

(Duluth News Tribune, May 26, 2000)

Hardballers turn up the head as regular season nears end

As a hockey player Aaron Slattengren proved to be the go-to person for the Proctor Rails. Now, as the baseball season is winding down to the final games of the regular season "Slatts" as he is known by his teammates proved to be the hero in a key non-conference battle against Hibbing.

At the Rails' shortstop position, Slattengren seems to have a magnet-like glove, as little got past this skilled athlete. When needed this all-around athlete is able to leave the shortstop role and step up on the mound to play the role of relief hurler, which he did in the contest against the Iron Range-based Hibbing Bluejackets.

At the plate on offense Slattengren is just as much a force to be dealt with.

After seven full innings the score stood in a 5-5 tie, forcing the game into extra innings. Players, coaches, and fans knew full well this is a team the Rails could well see in post-season play, so a win here would give the green and white an extra dose of confidence, should that playoff rematch materialize.

The top of the eighth inning proved to have a silver lining for Proctor. Two Rail batters had made it safely on base setting the stage for Slattengren to step into the batter's box. The confident slugger stepped into an offering. Taking a huge stride as Slattengren took a mighty swipe the resounding crack of the bat told the whole story. The hardball rocketed off the barrel of the metal bat deep into the outfield. Base runners took off like bullets rounding the bags before heading full-speed toward home. First one run scored and then another. Slattengren ended up safe at third base with what could have been the biggest triple of his baseball career.

In the end Slattengren ended the contest with four RBI's.

Hibbing had one last chance in the latter half of the eighth inning. However, the Rails' defense, led by Slatts, now on the pitcher's mound, proved too tough for the host Iron Rangers to end the game and giving Proctor the 7-5 victory.

Ryon Morgando also had a hot bat that day, as the quiet but confident player connected three times for key hits to help secure the victory...

(Proctor Journal, June 1, 2000)