HURLEY -- Hurley took a big step towards its goal of returning to the state baseball tournament Wednesday as the Midgets repeated as WIAA Division 4 region champions with a 7-3 victory over Drummond.
The Midgets (12-5) had lost to the Lumberjacks earlier in the season and were excited about avenging the loss, but the focus all season has been on a return trip to state in June.
Next up a trip to sectionals on Tuesday at Bruce. Hurley will play the day's first semifinal at 11 a.m. against either Luck or Shell Lake. The second semifinal is at 1:15 p.m., followed by the final at 4 p.m.
While the aim is a return to state, the more immediate goal is a good showing in Tuesday's sectional semifinal, according to Midget coach Aaron Bender. "Our pitching has been good all year. We look for that to continue, but we need our bats to come around. We're still looking for that break-out game."
Hurley had eight hits Wednesday, led by Daulton Levra's 3-for-4 performance. His lead-off double in the fourth inning chased Drummond starter Leroy Walters with Hurley leading 3-1.
David Wickinson relieved for the Lumberjacks. Levra took third base on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Thiede to make it 4-1.
Hurley added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lead-off hitter Cody Kivisto was hit by a pitch and Levra singled. They scored on a double to left-center by Brett Hockenbrock, who came home on an error in the outfield on a ball hit by Ethan Buccanero.
Drummond tried to rally in the seventh inning against Levra, who came in to relieve starter Dylan Laurin. Levra struck out the first two batters, but a dropped third strike allowed Doug Wickinson to reach first base. Three straight singles by George Sechen, Ken Knapp and Cole Dechant brought in two runs before Levra got the final two outs on a pop up to shortstop and another strike out.
Laurin earned the win. He struck out six and walked six in six innings. He allowed two hits and just one unearned run.
Walters took the loss. He gave up four runs in six innings on six hits. He struck out four and walked four. David Wickinson struck out two and walked one in three innings of relief. He gave up three runs and two hits.
