Folman’s Blast Leads Hermantown Over ML-WR

May 9

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

MOOSE LAKE- Kevin Folman of the Hermantown Hawks stepped to the plate in the top of the first with two outs and two on and ripped a blast down the left field line for a three run home run to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead. Eventually it would turn out to be all the runs they needed as the Hawks defeated the Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels Monday by a final score of 8-2.

A Cody Baker walk with two outs in the first inning was followed by a single to left off the bat of Jared Thomas, and then Folman crushed the 1-1 pitch deep to left for the 3-0 lead. Abe Young scored in the bottom of the first inning following a single and a stolen base; he scored on a ground out by Trevor Nummela. The Rebels second run came in the third inning, following a single by BJ Young who stole second and was brought in when Trevor Nummela singled again for the Rebels.

The Hawks led 3-2 going into the fifth inning when Baker singled for Hermantown, he stole second and later scored the fourth run off a Rebels throwing error. Hermantown added another run in the sixth; following a walk and a stolen base, Andrew Gillberg scored off a single from Cody Baker. The Hawks added three more runs in the top of the seventh, Mike Robertson, Billy Grillo and Jesse Olson all singled and scored in the inning to make the final score of 8-2.

Kevin Stocke was the winning pitcher for Hermantown pitching 4 2/3 of an inning giving up the two Rebels runs, while striking out seven and walking only one batter. Kevin Folman came in relief to garner the save for Hermantown as the Hawks improve to 7-2 on the season. BJ Young was the losing pitcher for Moose-Lake Willow River; he pitched 6 2/3 innings allow 8 runs, 6 which were earned, while striking out three.

The Loss drops the Rebels to 7-4 on the season, the Rebels loss Monday was their sixth game in eight days. The Rebels will have another battle on Tuesday when they host Floodwood in what could be a game that decides the Polar League crown. The Hawks are in action again when they face the Duluth East Greyhounds in their second of four games this week.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com