For the second time in a week, Esko's baseball team rode a late rally to a one-run victory over Hermantown, defeating the host Hawks 4-3 on Friday in nonconference action.
Branden Matteen had a pair of hits and drove in two runs and Ryan Nelson was 3-for-4 in support of pitcher Eric Rish, who worked six innings. Rish allowed seven hits and three runs.
The Eskomos, who won their 11th in a row, claimed the lead for good in the sixth, but had to sweat out Hermantown's bases-loaded threat in the seventh.
In a brotherly battle, Esko sophomore James LeGarde smacked a double down the left-field line off his older sibling, Hawks senior Gavin LeGarde, who had come on in relief.
Cloquet 4, Proctor 1
ADVERTISEMENT
Cooper Grashorn doubled among three hits and finished with two RBIs in the Lumberjacks' victory at the Hibbing tournament.
Cloquet starter Jon Baker struck out all nine batters he faced to open the game.
Wrenshall 17, Carlton 7
Brennan Kelley and Grant Hall both went 3-for-5 and combined for three RBIs as the host Wrens wrapped up the Polar League small-schools title, the program's first conference crown.
SOFTBALL
Cloquet 8, Duluth Denfeld 1
Josie Steen's pitching - one run on six hits while fanning seven - carried the visiting Lumberjacks to a Lake Superior Conference win.
MLWR 10, Cherry 9
ADVERTISEMENT
In Willow River, the Rebels carried a 4-2 cushion into the seventh inning before the Tigers erupted for seven runs - all with two outs - to take a 9-4 lead. In the home half of the frame, MLWR had a response. Suzy Grutkoski started the inning with a solo homer, and the Rebels crossed home plate five more times, on four hits and three errors, for a wild win.
