Proctor Boys Wrap Up Most Successful Season In School History

Wes Vork-NSO

Click here for the Proctor vs. St Anthony Village Box Score

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June 17

Wes Vork-NSO

ST. CLOUD – The Proctor Rails baseball team put the wraps on the most successful baseball season in school history on Friday at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. In the Consolation Semi-Finals the Rails beat St. Anthony Village by a 4-1 margin to advance to the Consolation championship where they lost to Delano by a 5-1 score.

In first round consolation action, Ryan McCarthy put the Rails ahead in the first inning with a two-run home run that also scored Jesse Scanlon, who had reached base on a walk. It was McCarthy’s seventh home run of the season, which tied Mike Pehl’s 2002 school record for the most home runs hit in a season.

Proctor added two insurance runs in the fifth inning on back-to-back RBI singles by Scanlon and McCarthy while Jake Lewis threw a three-hitter to garner the win. Lewis struck out four and did not walk a batter to pick up his eighth win and sixth complete game of the season.

The victory was a program high 22nd win for the Rails, besting their 2010 mark of 15 wins. In only his second year at the helm, 2005 PHS graduate Kyle Wojtysiak has put together the two winningest years in the storied program’s history. The third most successful season of 14 wins occurred in 1977, a full decade before Wojtysiak was born.

Wojtysiak points out however, that this year’s group of seniors is what made it all possible. “This senior group is why we were as far as we were, yeah we needed underclassman to get there, but it was the seniors’ hard work and determination that drove all of us.” Wojtysiak further pointed out, “To come on as a coach last year made my job a lot easier knowing the group of kids we had coming through.”

In the consolation championship, one bad inning sealed the Rails fate when Delano put together a four run, five hit second inning to take a 4-0 lead. The Tigers, last year’s state Class AA runners-up added another run in the third inning to win the consolation championship.

Proctor plated a run in the fifth inning when Nick Nylund doubled and was replaced by courtesy runner Jack Nikko. Nikko scored when Jimmy Merling singled and advanced to second base on a throwing error.

Ben Nelson settled down after the third inning for his fourth complete game of the season. He allowed five runs on 10 hits while striking out three and walking zero in the loss. Once again, Nelson had great command of the strike zone, throwing just 15 balls in 84 pitches.

While it is the goal to win every game, the players thoroughly enjoyed the state tournament experience with senior Patrick Everson telling Northland Sports Online after the game. “It’s a big thrill just to make it down to the state tournament, very few teams keep playing at this point and to compete against the top teams in the state is a great experience.”

Fellow senior Justin Scanlon, who missed a trip to state earlier in the year when as a member of one of the best hockey teams in Rails history lost in a semi-final overtime thriller, agreed. “It was exciting; we had a lot of fun. There are a lot of good teams down here and to play on very nice fields in front of all the fans that came down was really special.”

Although they lose nine seniors and their leadership, the Rails cupboard is far from bare. They return two of their top three pitchers in Lewis and Nelson as well as five starters when you include freshman designated hitter Evan Scherber. The group includes speedster Jimmy Merling, who as a sophomore holds the school record with 33 stolen bases, 20 of which came this season, and long ball hitter McCarthy. Also included in are juniors Ian Scherber and Jesse Scanlon who combined for 35 RBI’s.

Proctor also returns a talented group of underclassmen that will be counted on. “(Freshman) Evan Scherber filled in at short when Tyler was gone, so we know we have guys that can fill in, there will be big shoes to fill but hopefully we can fill them.” Wojtysiak explained.

Still Wojtysiak will miss the nine seniors and what they contributed to the program.

Tyler Pionk set school records in six different categories and Justin Scanlon leaves as the schools all time hits leader. “Next year when we come into practice it will be hard to not see those faces. They certainly set the standard. Not just with their play but also with their character.” He stated.

That character Wojtysiak talked about was on display at the end of the Rails consolation championship game. At the Section Finals at Wade Staduim, the entire team clapped during the awards presentation for runners-up Hermantown; which is pretty easy to do when you are waiting to get your medal with a blue ribbon on it. Much harder to do, but in a great show of sportsmanship on Friday, the Rails team did the same thing from the other side of the field for Delano, the team who had just beaten them and was awarded a shiny consolation championship trophy. “In our program, we teach them to win with class and to lose with class.” stated Wojtysiak.

Good job coach and good luck next year.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com