by Max Mercy

COHASSET -- Two Harbors scored six runs in the first inning and went on to defeat Proctor, 6-4, in the first round of the Section 7AA Playoffs at Pioneer Park in Cohasset on Tuesday. The Agates took advantage of five walks and two errors, to go with their three hits, in their big first inning.

Winning pitcher Cody Brandt allowed four runs on five hits, four walks, and a hit batsman in six innings pitched. Bret Olson pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the save.

Cole Komarck drew a two-out walk in the top of the first to start the Agates' offense. He attained second base on a wild pitch and third base on a passed ball before Olson also walked. An RBI single by Carson Wenger sent in Komarck for the first run. An errant pick-off throw to first allowed Olson to score from second and Wenger to take second. Logan Lioselle walked to put runners on first and second. A single by Steven Keech would've loaded the bases but for an outfield error that allowed Wenger to score. Lioselle and Keech also advanced one base on the play. A walk to Brandt loaded the bases and sent Proctor starting pitcher Cole Johnson to the bench in favor of reliever Ethan Bakke. Bakke walked Brock Fjeran, which sent in Lioselle for the fourth run. Eric Carlson then hit a two-run double which plated Keech and Brandt. Proctor catcher Austin Parrott tagged Fjeran out at home on the play on a throw from right fielder Ryan Lear, relayed by first baseman Bryce Huffman.

Proctor scored two runs in the bottom of the second. Tanner Olson led off with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Zach Gunderson. A wild pitch sent the runners ahead one base each. After one out, Olson scored on a sacrifice fly by Ben Harnell. Gunderson scored from second on an RBI single by Lucas Nordquist with two outs.

Proctor tallied two runs in the sixth. Gunderson led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Lear. Lear stole second. Gunderson scored on an RBI groundout by Austin Parrott for the second out. Lear moved to third on the play and subsequently scored on a wild pitch.

Lear pitched five innings of shutout relief, and Nordquist threw a scoreless seventh. Lear finished the season with a 0.00 ERA in 16 innings pitched in eight appearances. Cole Johnson (2-1 W-L, 3.98 ERA) was tagged with the loss. He allowed six runs on two hits and four walks in two-thirds of an inning.

Carlson and Keech led Two Harbors with two hits apiece. Gunderson led Proctor with two hits and two runs.

Proctor finishes the season with an overall record of 10 wins and eight losses.

Two Harbors advances to the double-elimination bracket of the playoffs. The Agates will play the winner of the Greenway vs. International Falls game.