Jacks Softball Gets Tight 4-3 Win Over Marshall

May 13

Kerry Rodd-NSO

It took a final inning run, but the Cloquet Lumberjacks were able to secure a 4-3 win over Duluth Marshall on Wednesday night in a girls’ softball make up game at Braun Park in Cloquet.

The Lumberjacks led 2-0 heading into the fifth inning, but in the top of the fifth the Hilltoppers picked up three runs to take a 3-2 lead. Stephanie Carlson came up with the big hit for Marshall, which scored two runs in the inning.

Cloquet bounced back to tie the game in the sixth inning on a key hit by Courtney Esse, sending the game into the seventh inning tied at 3-3.

Rachel Smith was able to stymie the Marshall hitting attack in the top of the seventh and then in the bottom of the inning Dalyce Gustafson was able to single up the middle with one out to reach base. Gustafson then stole second base and raced to third on a pitch in the dirt by Carlson. Alyssa Hanson had a long at bat against Carlson and with two strikes, Hanson managed to bounce a high chopper over the head of Carlson and beat the throw to first for the game winning hit.

Smith struck out 11 Hilltoppers and allowed just two hits, while Carlson fanned nine Lumberjacks and allowed just seven hits.

Esse finished the game with a 3-for-3 effort, while Gustafson went 2-for-4 with a double and a couple of runs scored.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com