Hermantown Boys Enter Section Finals Undefeated In Playoffs

Wes Vork-NSO

Click here for the complete game box score

For additional photos click here to view our complete photo gallery

June 7

Wes Vork-NSO

HIBBING – Even good problems are problems all the same, such is the case of being a fan of Hermantown athletics these days. On Thursday they will need to choose between watching the Hawks softball team play in its fourth consecutive state tournament in Mankato or cheer on the baseball team in the section finals at Wade Stadium. The Hawks remain unbeaten in the Section 7AA playoffs with a 2-1 win over Mora on Tuesday at Bennett Park in Hibbing.

Hermantown pitcher Jesse Olson out-dueled Mora’s hard throwing Bryce Oslin by pitching a seven hit gem, allowing just two runners past second base to pick up the win. “It would have been nice to get him a couple more runs, but we got just enough, Jesse Olson was really key for us today.” Hermantown Head Baseball Coach Mike Zagelmeyer explained.

Mora struck first in the third inning when Tyler Kiel singled and stole second base, then scored on Derek Grave’s two out single. That however would be all the Mustangs could muster with Olson allowing only three harmless singles the rest of the way.

Hermantown used the bottom of the fourth as their big inning. Cody baker got things started started with a well hit leadoff single that got under the Mora right-fielder’s glove allowing an alert Baker to advance to second. Jared Thomas then singled and Kevin Folman was hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out. Baker and Thomas scored on consecutive singles by Mike Robinson and Neil Pionk, putting the Hawks up 2-1 with the bases still loaded and no outs.

At that point Oslin worked himself out of a jamb by inducing a pop foul to the catcher and a dreaded inning ending 4-6-3 double play but the damage was done and the Hawks had all the runs they would need. “He [Oslin] is one of the best pitchers in Northern Minnesota and we found a way to scratch a couple of runs through. We had one inning and it would have been nice to get a couple more, we left the bases loaded but we capitalized when we needed to.” Commented Zagelmeyer.

Seven different Hawks each had a hit in the victory. Hermantown will now advance to the Section 7AA finals for the second consecutive year and will face Proctor, who worked their way through the losers bracket with wins against Virginia and Mora. The game location will be flipped with Section 7A finals and played at Wade Stadium instead of the originally scheduled Bennett Park.

Comments can be sent to wes@northlandsportsonline.com