Pine River-Backus at Hill City/Northland

Preview

The #7-seed Pine River-Backus couldn’t solve the pitching of senior hurler Kaija Neary for #2-seed Hill City/Northland and were sent to the elimination bracket of the 5A tournament.

HC/N scored three runs on three hits in the first, third and fifth innings to build a 9-0 lead, then plated the game ending run with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.

The Tigers only managed five hits versus Neary, and seven fielding errors contributed to the Storm’s success in avenging the regular season 6-5 PRB win.

The Tigers (12-10) will face #6 Sebeka in the elimination round Thursday in Hill City, while the Storm (14-4) go up against #3 Kelliher/Northome.

WP: Kaija Neary 6IP, 0R, 5H, 8K, 1BB
LP: Abby Gilbert 5 2/3 IP, 10R (5ER), 13H, 1K, 2BB

Hitting (Runs-Hits-Left On)
PRB 0-5-6; Sawyer Tulenchik 1-3, 2b; Caylei Johnson 1-2, 2b, BB; Leah Eveland, Ariana Burns and Kaitlyn Rilea 1-3

HC/N 10-13-8; Charity Berg 2-4 HR, 3RBI, 2R; Avery Ruyak 3-4, 3b, 2b, R; Bella Dunham 3-4, 3R, RBI; Kaija Neary 2-4, R; Jaz Kingsley 2-4, RBI, R