By Max Mercy

SUPERIOR -- Proctor defeated Rush City, 14-2, in the elimination bracket of the Section 7AA Playoffs. The game was called in the fifth inning due to the 10-run rule.

The Rails erased the Tigers' 1-0 lead with an eight-run second inning. Proctor sent 13 batters to the plate in the frame that included six hits (four doubles), two walks, a hit batsman, three stolen bases, and one Rush City error. The inning also featured three consecutive doubles by Tanner Olson, Sam Johnson, and Nolan McLeod. Tanner Ross led off the inning with a double and Ethan Carter's two-run single started the scoring. AJ Reyelts and Sam Johnson also contributed two-RBI hits.

Proctor tacked on four runs in the third, all after the first two batters made outs. The Rails scored two runs in the fourth on three hits, including back-to-back doubles by Sam Johnson and McLeod.

Proctor had two strings of five consecutive hits: one in the second and one in the third.

Sam Johnson and McLeod led the offense with three hits and three RBI apiece. Johnson had three runs scored; McLeod had two. Ross contributed two hits and two RBI.

Four doubles in an inning is tied for fourth in state team records. Seven doubles in a game is also tied for fourth in state team records.

Ross (2-0, 1.83 ERA) earned the win. He pitched four innings and allowed one run on two hits, two walks, and three hit batsmen. He had four strikeouts. Carson Pavlowich allowed one run on two hits and no walks with two strikeouts in one inning of relief.

Proctor, now 14-8, advanced to face Rock Ridge, which had earlier fallen to Esko in the quarterfinals, immediately following the conclusion of the game.