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Wes Vork-NSO

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Apr 13, 2012

Wes Vork-NSO

All players and coaches know the importance of a quick start to a ballgame, but the Cloquet Lumberjacks took that to a new level on Friday night against Mora. The Jacks unloaded in the first inning for seven runs and the Mustangs were on their third pitcher all before the first out was recorded en-route to an 11-6 victory at Mettner field in Cloquet.

They struggled a bit early and we took advantage of it” Cloquet Head Baseball Coach Rick Norrgard commented following the game. Adding “It’s nice to get that momentum going early when it’s cold and maybe knock them off their game a little bit.”

The first seven batters in the lineup scored for the Jacks to begin the game. Derek Anderson led off with a walk, Kaleb Kadelbach was hit by a pitch and Adam Hanson drew another walk. With the bases loaded Trent Moe singled to drive the Mustang’s starting pitcher from the game.

Mora’s second pitcher did not fare any better with Cole Johnson greeting him with a double. Brandon Conklin then walked and Jacob Schwinn singled, followed by a base on balls by Tyler Blundell to send the second pitcher to the showers with a total of 37 pitches thrown and still without an out on the board. Proving the third time’s a charm Chris Sundivold, the third Mustang pitcher of the inning got the remaining Jacks to fly out to end the first inning.

Meanwhile Hanson was pitching a gem and keeping the Mustangs off balance. They did manage a single

and a double to score a run in the second inning but that would be all until late in the game.

Cloquet put together another nice inning in the fourth when Kadelbach, Hanson, Moe and Johnson each scored their second run of the game to put Cloquet up by an 11-1 margin and set them up for a five inning 10 run game.

In the top of the fifth, the Mustangs managed to load the bases and with one out Hanson struck out Jake Lindberg for the second out, when a loose ball enticed the Mustang base runner to try to score from third base. Just when it looked like the Jacks had the plate covered for an unconventional double play to end the game early, they were not able to get the tag on the runner who scored and brought the margin down to nine runs and extend the game.

The Mustangs were able to make the most of their second chance by loading the bases and scoring three runs off a tiring Hanson in the seventh inning. Conklin came into the game and pitched the final 2/3 of an inning, giving up one more run before closing out the game and securing the 11-6 win. “Adam threw a beautiful game and we had some key hits early, it was fun” Commented Norrgard.

Hanson allowed seven hits, struck out three, and issued two walks and a hit batter in 6-1/3 innings of work to pick up the win. Seven different Lumberjacks scored in the victory.

“We started to lose it a little at the end, but everyone pulled things back together and got “W”, a big section win and now we’re 2-1on the season” stated Hanson after the game.

Cloquet will be back in action on Tuesday when they host the Denfeld Hunters at Mettner Field.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com