Lewis Becomes Proctor’s Winningest Pitcher In 5-0 Win

May 15, 2012

By Max Mercy

PROCTOR — Jake Lewis threw a five-hit shutout as Proctor defeated Duluth Marshall 5-0 in a Lake Superior Conference baseball game at Proctor. Lewis (4-1 0.38 era) had six strikeouts and one walk en-route to becoming the winningest pitcher in school history. His 21 career wins broke the 34-year-old record of 20 wins set by Dale Nikko in 1978.

Proctor took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jimmy Merling led off with a single, stole both second and third base, and scored on an RBI double by Ryan McCarthy.

The score remained the same until Proctor’s half of the fifth inning, when the Rails scored four runs. Evan Scherber led off with a walk, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jack Nikko. Jake Malec then pinch ran for Scherber. Ian Scherber was hit by a pitch, and both runners moved up one base on a passed ball before Merling hit an RBI single scoring Malec and sending Scherber to third base. Merling stole second, and Jesse Scanlon hit an RBI single scoring Scherber and moving Merling to third base.

After Scanlon stole second, McCarthy was intentionally walked to load the bases. Cody Dolsen hit into an RBI fielder’s choice, scoring Merling, moving Scanlon to third, and forcing out McCarthy at second. Joe Carter, the courtesy runner for Dolsen, was picked off of first base, but remained in a run-down long enough for Scanlon to score from third before being tagged out to end the inning.

Losing pitcher Doug Lewis allowed five runs on five hits, two walks, one intentional walk, and one hit batsman. He had five strikeouts.

Merling was 2-for-2 with two runs scored, one RBI, and three stolen bases.

Marshall’s Ian Zenner and Alex Johnson were both 2-for-3.

Proctor (8-4) travels to Hermantown on Thursday to take on the undefeated (16-0) Hawks. Duluth Marshall (3-10) hosts Eveleth-Gilbert on Wednesday.

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