Esko making another run in Section 7AA

Esko is marching toward a possible fourth consecutive Section 7AA softball title after a 4-3 win over Proctor in the winner’s bracket final Tuesday in Grand Rapids.

Miranda Kelley shut down the Rails’ vaunted offense giving up just eight hits in seven innings. Kelley also bashed out three hits, scored two runs and doubled in helping the Eskomos stay in the Class AA winners bracket. Kristy DeMuth had two hits and doubled for the winners and also had a pair of RBIs.

The Rails turned around and staved off elimination by defeating Moose Lake-Willow River 9-4, leading to another game against Esko for the championship at 4 p.m. Thursday at Braun Park in Cloquet after this issue of the Pine Knot News went to press. If Proctor wins, a second game will follow.

Following are scores and summaries for other Section 7AA playoff games:

Monday, May 28

Moose Lake/Willow River-14

Mora-9 (Mora eliminated)

Despite trailing 9-1 earlier in the game the feisty Rebels bounced back to nab the win. Mora had two grand slams in taking the lead, but the resilient Rebels continued to fight by scoring six runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. Eighth-grade pitcher Sarah Christy cameon in relief to hold the Mustangs scoreless after their early offensive onslaught allowing the Rebels to come from behind and take the win in Grand Rapids. Dallis Kukuk, Rachel Christy, Janna Bode, Kaitlin Ballentine and Maci Kukuk all had two hits for the Rebels.

Eveleth-Gilbert-8

Virginia-4

Moose Lake/Willow River-6

Eveleth-Gilbert-4

(Eveleth-Gilbert eliminated)

Christy went seven innings allowing four runs on nine hits and nine strikeouts giving the Rebels their second win on the day against the Golden Bears. Natalie Mikrot had a pair of RBIs and Bella Meyer and Kaitlin Ballentine both had two hits in the win as did Maci Kukuk.

Proctor-9

Moose Lake/Willow River-4 (Moose Lake-Willow River eliminated)

The Rails eliminated the Rebels behind the five-hit pitching of Liz Frase. Lilli Skelton took the loss in the elimination game. Dallis Kukuk had two RBIs in the loss for the Rebels.

Thursday, May 23

Proctor-7

Rush City-6

Proctor-3

Eveleth-Gilbert-1

Moose Lake/Willow River-6

Rush City-2

Sarah Christy got the win on the mound for the Rebels giving up three hits while Dallis Kukuk had a pair of stolen bases; Christy also aided her own cause with two doubles and two RBIs.

Mora-3

Virginia-1

Esko-7

Duluth Marshall-5

Esko spotted a five-run lead to the Hilltoppers before bouncing back and taking the win. Zoie Johnson picked up the pitching win in relief for the Eskomos by not allowing a hit over the final three innings. Dea DeLeon had two hits including a triple for Esko, Lily Hanson had a double, Miranda Kelley added three RBIs and Sydney Hanson recorded and RBI.

Esko-7

Mora-2

Miranda Kelley pitched a complete game four-hitter while fanning nine and Kristy DeMuth, Jenna Zbedski and Zoie Johnson also had two hits for the winning Eskomos.

Virginia-8

Duluth Marshall-7 (8 innings)