Local Teams Advance in Section 7AA Softball Action

Chris Shevich-NSO

May 20

Kerry Rodd-NSO

The first round of the Section 7AA girls softball tournament has been completed and there was one major upset as Two Harbors knocked off the #3 seeded Aitkin Gobblers. Esko easily defeated Crosby-Ironton and Moose Lake-Willow River narrowly slipped by Pequot Lakes.

When the tournament seedings were announced last week it was determined that Aitkin, which at the time was undefeated, would garner the #2 seed in Subsection 1 and Esko would be in at #3. However, Esko disputed the seeding and when things were settled Esko moved to #2 and Aitkin to #3. The seeding proved prophetic as the Gobblers were bounced from the tournament by Two Harbors 2-0 last night and Esko walloped Crosby-Ironton 24-0 in five innings.

In the Two Harbors win, Katie Morrsette had a single to knock in a run in the ninth inning and then the Agates tacked on an insurance run to stifle the Gobblers in Aitkin.

Esko had six players each with two hits and Kelsey Saralampi struck out nine batters in three innings before she moved to the outfield in a show of sportsmanship by Esko coach Brad Emanuel.

Moose Lake-Willow River had to hang on, but Katie Youngberg had just enough in the pitching gas tank to help her team to a 10-8 victory at home against Pequot Lakes.

Over in Subsection 2, it was Hermantown beating Eveleth-Gilbert 17-0, Virginia downed Hibbing 6-0, International Falls routed Proctor 10-0 and Greenway slipped by Duluth Marshall 3-2.

Cloquet had a bye in the first round and will now play host to the remainder of the tournament starting on Thursday. The Jacks will face Greenway which slipped by Duluth Marshall 3-2. The Rebels will take on the #1 seed from Subsection 2, which is Hermantown. Two Harbors will play Virginia and Esko will take on International Falls.

Games involving Cloquet, Moose Lake-Willow River and Esko will be aired on the radio in Cloquet and Moose Lake on WKLK-AM 1230, WKLK-FM 96.5 and WMOZ-FM 106.9.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at Kerry@northlandsportsonline.com