by Max Mercy

Proctor defeated Superior, 4-3, in a Lake Superior Conference baseball game at home on May 11, 2016.

Superior struck first with two runs in the top of the first. Justin Reinkall reached on a walk to start the game, and he was followed by Gunner Johnson who reached on an error. Reinkall scored on a wild pitch, and Hunter Hockenbrock's sacrifice fly plated Johnson.

Proctor tied the score at 2-2 in the third on John Aase's fourth home run of the season. Matt Morris, who reached on an error with two outs, scored on the four-bagger.

The Rails took a 3-2 lead in the fourth when Bryce Huffman led off with a walk, advanced to second base on Reid Morin's sacrifice bunt, and scored on Derek Dahlgren's RBI single.

Proctor went ahead 4-2 in the fifth as Jake Malec led off with a double and scored on Aase's RBI single with one out.

Luke Nordquist relieved starting pitcher Aase in the seventh. Nordquist surrendered a lead-off single to Alex Kaske. Kaske advanced to second on Reinkall's ground out and scored on a two-out double by Matt Strum. With the tying run on second base, Nordquist then got Hockenbrock to fly out to centerfielder Nathan Carlson to end the game.

Aase (3-1 W-L, 2.30 ERA) earned the win. He allowed two runs (both unearned) on two hits and six walks. He had five strikeouts. Nordquist picked up his third save of the season, tying the team record of three in a season set by Kyle Wojtysiak in 2004. Nordquist allowed one run on two hits and no walks. He had one strikeout.

Losing pitcher Johnson worked three and two-thirds innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks. He had eight strikeouts. Reliever Reinkall allowed one run on two hits with six strikeouts. The two Spartans pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts.

Proctor improved to 8-3 overall and 2-1 in the LSC. The Rails are back in action on Thursday at Cloquet.