by Max Mercy

ST. CLOUD -- After getting shut-out on two hits on Thursday, the Rails responded with a six-run outburst in the top of the first inning against Pine Island and went on to win,12-5, in a consolation semifinal game at Joe Faber Field on Friday morning.

Matt Tracey started it off by getting hit by a pitch with one out in the first. He advanced to second on a passed ball before Jake Malec drew a walk. Matt Morris knocked in Tracey for the first run on an RBI single, and John Aase's bunt single loaded the bases. Blake Koski then hit an RBI single, scoring Malec. Matt Sievert followed with a two-RBI single, plating Jordan Linder, the courtesy runner for Morris, and Aase. Nathan Carlson, batting with two outs, then hit a two-RBI double, scoring Koski and Sievert, all the way from first base, before Carlson was out at third in an attempt at a triple.

Pine Island's Joe Bauer singled with one out in the bottom of the first, but was out at second as right fielder Luke Nordquist's throw beat him to the bag as he tried to attain the extra base. Proctor starter Morris allowed a walk to Aaron Gillard and a single by Brady Braaten before retiring the side on no runs.

Gillard, Pine Island's starter, put down the Rails in order in the second, but was lifted for Braaten in the third after surrendering two hard hits to start the inning. Morris led off with a double, and Aase singled. Courtesy-runner Linder took third on Aase's line-drive single. Aase stole second before Sievert reached base with one out on a fielding error, and a throwing error on the same play allowed Linder to score for a 7-0 lead.

Braaten kept the Rails off of the scoreboard until the seventh.

Meanwhile, Morris tossed five shutout innings and got the first two batters out in the sixth before surrendering a single and a walk. He was replaced by Luke Nordquist. Pinch-hitter Matt Lien walked to load the bases and Gillard walked, forcing in Jacob Navratil, who had singled to begin the rally. Braaten followed with a two-run single, scoring Drew Lohmeyer, who had walked, and Lien. Braden Aakre then hit a two-run double, plating Gillard and Braaten to make the score 7-5.

Proctor replied with a five-run inning of its own in the top of the seventh. Malec led off with a triple and scored on Morris's RBI single. Morris was lifted for pinch-runner Ben Harnell, who was making his varsity debut. Harnell moved to third on a double by Aase, and that was the end of Braaten's time on the mound as he was relieved by Lohmeyer. Koski walked to load the bases, and then Sievert reached on a fielder's choice error that resulted in both Harnell and Aase scoring and put Koski on third and Sievert on second. Nordquist then followed with an RBI single, scoring Koski. Sievert scored the twelfth run when Carlson hit into a double play.

Malec pitched a perfect seventh to end the game.

The game was the final act in Pine Island head coach Craig Anderson's career, as he is retiring after 41 years of coaching and over 500 career wins.

Morris (7-2, 2.24 ERA) earned the win. He allowed two runs on seven hit and three walks in five and two-thirds innings. He had four strikeouts.

Gillard was the losing pitcher. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits, one walk, and one hit batsman in two innings. He had one strikeout. 

Morris and Aase led the Rails' offense. Morris was 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Aase was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs. Sievert and Carlson had two RBI.

Proctor advanced to the consolation championship.

For a complete box score, click here.