by Max Mercy

NASHWAUK, Minn. -- Proctor's Jack Nikko followed in his father's footsteps by recording wins in the playoffs on consecutive days as Proctor defeated Mora 5-3 in the quarterfinals of the Section 7AA Playoffs. Jimmy Merling's RBI double in the sixth inning broke a 2-2 tie and Nikko's relief pitching allowed Proctor to advance to the Section 7AA Playoffs Final Four for the fourth consecutive year and fifth time in seven years.

In 1976, Proctor defeated Grand Rapids 2-0 on June 1 in the Region 7AA semifinals and then beat Duluth Denfeld 2-1 on June 2 for the Region 7AA championship. Dale Nikko was the winning pitcher in both games. In fact, the elder Nikko pitched every inning of the Rails' four playoffs games and their state tournament game in 1976.

Jack Nikko (4-2, 1.85 ERA) threw six shutout innings for the win against Virginia on Wed., and bounced back for four innings in relief of starter Matt Morris on Thurs. against Mora. Mora's only run off of Nikko was an unearned run on an error in the seventh inning. Nikko allowed four hits and no walks and had three strikeouts.

Morris pitched the first three innings and left with the scored tied 2-2. He allowed two runs on six hits, one walk, and one hit batsman with two strikeouts.

Isaac Scherber scored twice for Proctor. Merling, Evan Scherber, and Paul Hegstrom had RBIs. 

Losing pitcher Sam Johnson allowed one earned run on five hits and three walks with one strikeout in 5.2 innings pitched.

Connor Cannon had three hits and Adam Burgess and Johnson had two hits apiece for the Mustangs.