By Max Mercy

DULUTH -- Rock Ridge defeated Proctor, 8-5, in the second round of the Section 7AA Playoffs, sending the Rails to the elimination bracket.

Proctor took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Sam Johnson's RBI single plated courtesy runner Grant Walker after a one-out triple by catcher Tanner Olson.

The Wolverines went ahead, 2-1, in the second, and their six-run third frame resulted in their total of eight runs. They had six hits in the third inning and 14 in the game.

Blake Imhoff's sacrifice fly in the fifth made the score 8-2.

Proctor rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Olson singled to lead off and Walker replaced him on the bases. Johnson reached safely on a fielder's choice error, and Nolan McLeod singled to load the bases with no outs. But two consecutive strikeouts dampened the attempt at a comeback before Nick Terhaar drew a walk to force Walker across the plate for an 8-3 score. Kennan Reyelts then delivered a two-run single but was out at second while trying to advance on the play.

Reyelts batted 4-for-4 to tie the school record for hits in a game. Olson was 3-for-3 and McLeod was 2-for-4. Proctor had 12 hits.

Ethan Carter (1-1, 5.73 ERA) took the loss. He allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk with no strikeouts in two innings. Reyelts allowed three runs in three innings of relief and Wyatt Mineheine tossed two scoreless relief innings.

The Rails had four stolen bases in the game which brought their season's total to 82 steals. They broke a 42-year-old school record for team stolen bases. The 1980 team held the record, with 81.

Proctor, now 13-8, will face Rush City at Superior on Thursday. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and will follow the quarterfinals game between Esko and Rock Ridge. The winner of the Proctor vs. Rush City game will advance to play the loser of the Esko vs. Rock Ridge game Thursday evening at Superior.