By Max Mercy

ESKO -- Defending State Class AA State Champion Esko defeated Proctor, 7-3, in a non-conference baseball game here on Thursday.

Esko broke a 2-2 tie with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to take the lead for good.

Proctor took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a leadoff walk by Wyatt Mineheine, a double by Tanner Ross, a sacrifice fly by Tyler Berglund, and a wild pitch.

Esko cut into the lead with a solo home run in the second and tied the score on a leadoff walk, a stolen base, and an RBI single in the third.

Esko scored four runs in the fifth on two hits, two walks, and one Proctor error. Esko notched its final run in the sixth on a walk, a wild pitch, and two Proctor errors.

Proctor rallied for one run in the seventh on an RBI single by Berglund.

Mineheine (0-1, 10.50 ERA) took the loss in relief of Nick Terhaar. Mineheine allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks with three strikeouts in two innings. Terhaar allowed two runs on four hits and three walks with 10 strikeouts in four innings.

Proctor, now 2-1, is next in action tomorrow, April 19, against Rock Ridge at Maple Grove.