Proctor Wins 2-1 Thriller In 11 Innings

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May 10

By Max Mercy

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Jimmy Merling hit a sacrifice fly to put Proctor ahead in the top of the eleventh inning and the Rails got out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half of the inning to win a Lake Superior Conference baseball game at Superior by a score of 2-1.

Merling plated Cody Dolsen, who had singled with one out. Dolsen advanced to third base on a double by Ian Scherber, and an intentional walk to Alex Oachs set up Merling’s sacrifice fly.

Superior threatened in the bottom of the eleventh with a lead-off single, a hit batsman, a sacrifice bunt, and an intentional walk. The game ended on an unconventional double-play as left fielder Jesse Scanlon caught a fly ball and his throw to third base was ahead of the runner retreating from leading off of the base.

Proctor scored their first run in the fourth inning when Tyler Pionk was hit by a pitch, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Jesse Scanlon, advanced to third base on a single by Ryan McCarthy, and scored on an RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Justin Scanlon. Scanlon beat out the throw to first base on the double-play attempt on a close play.

Superior was trailing 1-0 and down to their last out in the bottom of the seventh inning when Dylan Ramage drove in Rob Dembroski with a single to right field to tie the score.

Winning pitcher Alex Oachs (2-0, 2.33 ERA) worked two innings of scoreless relief of starter Jake Lewis. Lewis allowed one run on seven hits and two walks (one intentional) in nine innings. He had eight strikeouts. Oachs allowed one hit, two walks (one intentional), and one hit batsman, with one strikeout.

Losing pitcher Jordan McDonald threw three innings in relief of Ramage. Ramage allowed one run on three hits, three walks, and a hit batsman. He had eight strikeouts. McDonald allowed one run on five hits and an intentional walk.

McCarthy and Scherber had two hits for Proctor, who is now 8-0 on the season.

Pionk tied Charlie Habermann (2006-09) for first-place in PHS history with 69 career games played; he now also has the most career plate appearances in PHS history, with 263, Habermann also held that previous record with 260 plate appearances.

Taylor Olson had four hits and Dembroski had three hits for Superior.

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