Proctor Boys Fall In State Quarterfinals

Wes Vork-NSO

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June 16

Wes Vork-NSO

ST. CLOUD – The Proctor Rails first state tournament appearance in 35 years did not start out exactly as they had hoped, with the Rails falling to Fairmont by a score of 6-1 in quarterfinal round action at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud on Thursday morning.

Though they played well enough to win against a very solid Fairmont team, Proctor couldn’t seem to get a bounce on Thursday. That, coupled with a couple of uncharacteristic errors dashed all hopes of a state championship and playing at Target Field. “I don’t think we played bad, we sure didn’t give them the game, but it came down to timely hitting. They got the hits when they needed them and we didn’t.” Proctor Head Coach Kyle Wojtysiak stated following the game.

The Rails started out fine in the bottom of the first when Tyler Pionk singled, Jesse Scanlon walked and Patrick Everson reached on an errant throw to first, which allowed Pionk to score. Ian Scherber then drew a walk to load the bases with two out; but a pop-out to short left the three runners stranded.

The Cardinals worked their way back starting with a solo home run in the second inning and an overthrow to home on a rundown in the third, giving them a 2-1 lead after three innings.

Fairmont blew the game open in the fourth inning by scoring four runs and put the game out of reach. A couple of hits and a walk scored a run to increase the Cardinals lead to 3-1. Proctor was close to getting out of the inning, but a two out walk on a 3-2 count loaded the bases and a sharp single to center by Logan Peymann that got under the outfielders glove cleared the bases. Just that quick Fairmont was up by what would end up as a final score of 6-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Rails mounted a serious attempt to answer back with a single by Everson and a stand-up double by Nick Nylund on a ball that hit the right field fence. But with two outs, Cardinal catcher Joey Duflo made an incredible sliding catch of a pop-foul in front of the Proctor dugout to end the inning.

Senior Pitcher Alex Oachs was given the starting nod for the Rails and pitched four innings, giving up five hits. “I thought threw the playoffs, he was throwing well and decided to give him the start. ”Wojtysiak mentioned. “He pitched well, they [Fairmont] are a very good hitting ballclub, they came in hitting .383 as a team and we were able to hold them to five hits, so that says a lot about our pitching.” Wojtysiak added. Ben Nelson pitched three innings of no-hit ball in relief of Oachs.

The loss was the first of the season for Oachs, who put off knee surgery to be able to participate in the baseball season. Even though he ended up on the losing end of the scoreboard on Thursday, he said it was all worth it. “The whole team has worked hard and has pushed me to get to the point I am at. It was definitely worth waiting for surgery, I’m 100% sure of it.” Oachs also pointed out that their season is nowhere near over yet, stating. “We have two more games and hopefully we can end the season with a win, which would be great for us.”

Proctor will face St. Anthony Village (19-6) at Joe Faber Field at 10:00am on Friday in the first round of the consolation bracket and with a win would advance to the consolation championship at 3:00pm.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com