by Max Mercy

COHASSET -- Duluth Marshall handed Proctor a loss by a score of 8-2 in the second round of the Section 7AA Playoffs, sending the Rails to the elimination bracket.

Winning pitcher Derrick Winn allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts in five innings.

Marshall took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after two walks and a two-run double by Carter Sullivan.

The Hilltoppers made it 3-0 in the third when Peter Hansen led off with a single, took second on a single by Winn, took third on a passed ball, and scored on a wild pitch.

Luke Nordquist got Proctor's first hit of the game when he beat the throw on a bunt to lead off the top of the fourth. John Aase followed with a booming two-run home run, his second round-tripper of the season and seventh in his prep career. Zach Gunderson hit a double with one out in the inning, but that was all the hits the Rails could muster against the 'toppers pitching.

Marshall's Cole Maccoux hit a solo home run in the fourth for a 4-2 score.

Marshall scored one run in the fifth on two hits and an error.

The Hilltoppers put the game effectively out of reach with three runs on four hits and a hit batsman in the sixth.

John Aase (4-2 W-L, 2.97 ERA) pitched all six innings for Proctor. He allowed eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits, two walks, and a hit batsman. He had two strikeouts.

Proctor plays at Wade Stadium at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, against Mora. The winner plays at 5:00 p.m. at Wade against the loser of the 2:30 p.m. game (Esko vs. Eveleth-Gilbert).