by Max Mercy

NASHWAUK -- Freshman Zach Gunderson tossed his first varsity shutout as Proctor won a Section 7AA Playoffs first-round game, 7-0, over Eveleth-Gilbert here on Wednesday, June 1. Gunderson (4-1 W-L, 3.61 ERA) allowed five hits and three walks with two strikeouts in seven innings.

Jake Malec's two-RBI double in the third put the Rails ahead 2-0. Nathan Carlson got the inning started with a one-out single, Proctor's first of the game, and was followed by a two-out walk issued to Matt Tracey before Malec's drive plated Carlson from second base and Tracey all the way from first.

Proctor scored five runs in the sixth inning to put an otherwise close game out of reach. John Aase led off with a single, Bryce Huffman walked, and Blake Koski moved both runners ahead a base on a sacrifice hit for the first out. Jordan Linder ran for Huffman and Luke Nordquist smashed a two-RBI single, scoring Aase and Linder. Carlson singled and Derek Dahlgren was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Tracey walked, forcing in Nordquist. Then Malec walked, forcing in Carlson and chasing Eveleth-Gilbert starter Cooper Dosan. The fifth run came when Matt Morris reached on an RBI fielder's choice, plating Dahlgren.

The Golden Bears had two hits in the first inning but Gunderson induced a double play to end the threat. Two walks issued by Gunderson in the sixth almost started a rally but right-fielder Nordquist ended the inning by gunning down the runner attempting to score from second on a single with two outs.

In the seventh, Eveleth-Gilbert got runners to second and third with two outs after a walk, a single, and a wild pitch, but Malec ended the game with a successful catcher-to-third-baseman pick-off throw.

Losing pitcher Cooper Dosan allowed seven runs on six hits and five walks with three strikeouts in five and a third innings. Kyle Sickel had two hits for the Golden Bears.

Carlson was 3-for-3 with two runs, Malec was 1-for-2 with a double and three RBI, and Nordquist was 1-for-3 with two RBI.

Proctor advanced to face Virginia at Nashwauk directly following the game.