Park Rapids at Aitkin

Recap

Tanner Hills’ solid start, coupled with good defense and one big inning, helped the Aitkin Gobblers take the 2nd game of the Mid-State Conference Doubleheader with a 4-0 victory over Park Rapids Friday evening at Woock Field.

Pitching came out strong for both teams early as DJ Reichling of Park Rapids struck out 4 of the first 5 batters he face. Hills gave up 2 of 3 allowed hits in the first 3 innings. Aitkin put up all 4 runs in the 3rd inning, compounded by Zack MacDonald’s 2-run single and Landon Janzen’s 2-run double.

The Gobblers defense chipped in a pair of double plays, in the 5th and 6th innings, and a Zach MacDonald diving catch to end the 6th eliminated any threat from the Panthers on the base paths.

Reichling finished  the game with 5 innings pitched and gave up 4 runs off 7 hits and 2 walks with 7 strikeouts. Isaiah Olson, Jackson Lund, and Noah Morris all recorded base hits for Park Rapids.

Tanner Hills went the distance by scattering 3 hits over 7 innings with 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. MacDonald, Hill, and Zach Ehnstrom all had singles and a run scored.

Aitkin improves to 12-2 on the season with their next game schedu2le for Monday at Mora. Park Rapids falls to 8-8 as they face Crookstoon on Monday.