The South Ridge High School baseball team capped its regular season with a 12-2 triumph over Esko on Tuesday, a performance that underscored the team’s offensive firepower and solid pitching.
Austin Olson led the offense with an RBI single, an RBI double and three runs driven in, while Ben Pretasky contributed a solo home run in the fourth inning that stretched the lead.
On the mound, Gavin Willeck limited Esko to two runs — only one earned — on six hits over four innings, earning the win and preserving the team’s momentum heading into the postseason.
Other Area Results
Two Harbors also posted a convincing 13-2 victory over Cromwell-Wright, capitalizing on nine walks and nine hits while pitcher Beau Lampela tossed six innings without allowing a run.
Rock Ridge edged Proctor 5-4, with Colter Marolt delivering the game-winning single in the bottom of the sixth and blanks the win with a relief effort from Blake Bailey.
Duluth Marshall rolled past Mora 10-0, as Minsoo Park allowed just three singles in five shutout innings and Aaden Westerbur sparked the offense with a 2-for-3 performance and three RBIs.
Cherry edged Barnum 7-5 in a back‑and‑forth contest, highlighted by Aiden Lindgren’s go‑ahead run resulting from an outfield error and solid contributions from Max Bautch and Jackson Nagel.
Grand Rapids defeated Hibbing 8-4, driven by Ethan Morgan’s four RBIs, while Northwestern secured a 9-3 win over Spooner thanks to Anthony Calore’s 3-for-5 outing and four RBIs.
Additional standout performances included Easton Harker and Tucker Selin’s two‑hit games for Esko, Noah Mecklin’s 2‑for‑2 effort with a double and two RBIs for Two Harbors, and Eoghan Heaslip’s 3‑for‑4 showing for Barnum.