7AA Elimination #3 Aitkin vs. #4 Proctor

Recap

Another walk-off loss in the Section 7AA Tournament ended the Aitkin Gobblers season as they suffered a 4-3 defeat to Proctor from Wade Stadium in Duluth.

Proctor opened up the scoring with AJ Reyelts coming all the way around from 1st base after a pick-off throw went into right field. Leading 1-0 through 2 innings, starting pitcher Kennan Reyelts helped his own cause with an RBI double in the 3rd to double the lead at 2-0.

Aitkin’s bats finally broke through in the 5th with Craig Ashton’s leadoff single followed by a walk from Jackson MacDonald. Zach MacDonald would hit into a fielder’s choice that would load the bases with two outs in the inning. Zach Ehnstrom would clear the bases with a ringing double to left field and give the Gobblers their only lead of the game at 3-2 in the Top of the 5th.

The Rails tied the game 3-3 in the Bottom of the 5th with an RBI single from Sam Johnson. Aitkin had chances to take the lead back in the 6th and 7th innings but would leave runners on 2nd bases while being unable to convert. Proctor would also be retired 1-2-3 to send the game into extra innings.

The Gobblers in the Top of the 8th were retired in order despite Craig Ashton reaching on an error but he would be caught trying to second base. That set the table for Proctor with 3 consecutive walks issued to open the inning and then Kennan Reyelts lined a ball back up the middle for a walk-off RBI single to send Proctor into a match-up with Esko to continue their postseason journey.

Kennan Reyelts would take a no decision on the mound with 5 2/3 innings pitched and gave up 3runs on 6 hits and 2 walk while striking outs 3. Reyelts also was 2-for-2 with a double and 2 RBIs. Tanner Olson, Nolan McLeod, and Blake Imhoff also scored runs for the Rails.

Carson Kullhem went 7+ innings and scattered the 4 runs off 5 hits and 4 walks. Kullhem, Ehnstrom, Gus Sanford, Craig Ashton, and Jackson MacDonald all had hits for Aitkin.

Aitkin’s season to an end with a 20-4 record and was the final appearance for 11 Gobbler Seniors.