Lumberjacks are on cruise control

The Cloquet girls softball team got a little help from Mother Nature Tuesday when rainy weekend skies cleared enough to allow the Lumberjacks a chance to get on their home field for Senior Night. The Lumberjacks didn't disappoint the fans at Braun Park as they rolled to an easy 11-0 win over Duluth Denfeld.

"It was a pretty special night for the seniors," said Cloquet coach Tyler Korby. "It was emotional for the seniors, but they all came out to play tonight for us."

Cloquet's four seniors include Brooke and Blythe Proulx, Aydann Pollard and Carly Johnson.

The Lumberjacks scored single runs in the first, second and third innings before erupting for eight runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Cloquet bashed out 13 hits in the win and had a number of stellar performances at the plate. Allie Jones went 3-for-3 with a double and a pair of RBIs to lead the hitting attack. The 'Jacks also got two hits from Ella Maslowski, who added three RBIs. Brooke Proulx had a homerun over the left field fence among her two hits. Rylie Goranson had a double amongst her two hits and two RBIs and Aydann Pollard also finished two hits.

"We also got a big at bat at a key time from Emma Parks, who drove in a run," Korby said.

Defensively, Cloquet made just one error and got strong pitching from Jones and Ella Maslowski.

"Jones pitched four innings and gave up just two hits and struck out six," Korby said. "Ella came in and pitched a strong fifth inning by striking out one and settling down Denfeld in order to end the game."

The win improved the Lumberjacks record to 6-2, while Denfeld now falls to 0-6 on the season.

"When a team beats us they have to earn it this season," said Korby. "We don't walk many, we don't make a lot of errors, and we can put the ball in play, so that is a good combination."

On the horizon for Cloquet is a challenging part of the schedule as they gear up toward playoff time.

"We have a tough schedule coming up, but we are excited about that," said Korby. "Right now we have 11 homeruns in just eight games, so we can hit the long ball and we also can play the short game. Our team has a lot of energy, they know how to play the game, and they love coming to the field every day."

The Lumberjacks are among a number of strong teams in Section 7AAA this season. Getting out of the section to the state tournament will be no easy task.

"The section is just really tough, with a lot of good teams," said Korby. "We would like to think we will be in the mix. If we can continue with what we've been doing, we like our chances."

Cloquet will have to contend with Chisago Lakes, a team that finished second in the state last season along with North Branch, Hibbing, Hermantown and Grand Rapids, all of which are loaded with talent.

"We will just keep working at getting better every day, and we'll be ready when the playoffs come," Korby said.

Cloquet was scheduled to play Rock Ridge (10-2) on Wednesday, May 1.

Cloquet 4,

Carlton/Wrenshall 1

Allie Jones did a little bit of everything in Cloquet's 4-1 girls softball victory over neighboring Carlton/Wrenshall April 26 on a wet evening at Cloquet's Braun Park.

Jones hit a crucial inside-the-park home run in a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, scored twice and tossed a five-hit, 11-strikeout complete game win.

Jones outdueled Raptors ace Abby Mitchell. The Raptor was effective despite the damp weather, recording 16 of 18 outs via strikeout, allowing just three hits.

Mitchell was also 2-for-3 at the plate, while teammate Megan Matarelli doubled.

Cloquet's Rylie Goranson also doubled, the only other hit for the Lumberjacks.

Cloquet 22, Marshall 0

Allie Jones tossed a four-inning no-hitter in leading the Lumberjacks to a 22-0 win over Duluth Marshall in a four-inning game April 24 at Braun Park.

Jones, who struck out seven Hilltoppers and faced just one batter over the minimum, helped her own cause by belting a first-inning, inside-the-park home run, while the junior finished the day with six RBIs. Ella Maslowski, Rylie Goranson and Emma Warnygora all had multiple hits for Cloquet, which saw nine Lumberjacks lace hits in their 14 on the day.

Goranson doubled, while Maslowski was 3-for-3, hitting a single, double and triple.