Midgets retake lead in sixth inning, defeat Northland Pines

HURLEY - Hurley scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to come back and beat Northland Pines 5-3 Friday evening.

The Midgets scored two runs in the first inning and led until the Eagles put up two runs in the top of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead.

Hurley catcher Kohl Manzanares led off the sixth with a double. A Josh Quello single scored Manzanares and tied the game at 3-3.

With two outs in the inning, Steven Chavers doubled to bring in Dante Bender and Quello to make it 5-3 Hurley.

Cole Huotari led off the first with a triple and scored on a single by Bender, who came across on a sacrifice fly by Chris Rye.

Hurley coach Aaron Bender liked the way his team came back after falling behind in the sixth inning.

"It was a very nice victory," he said.

Bender finished the night 3 for 4. Chavers was 2 for 4.

Huotari picked up the complete-game win. He struck out five, while allowing four walks, three runs (all earned) and 10 hits. His performance was nice to see for Hurley, which has multiple doubleheaders scheduled.

"He was around the plate all night," coach Bender said. "As I preach as a coach, I just need guys to go up there and throw strikes and let them hit the ball. That's what he did. He kept his defense in the game."

Hurley (7-6) goes to a tournament in Park Falls this morning. The Midgets play Chequamegon and Tomahawk with the Chequamegon game very important for WIAA Division 3 regional tournament seeding.

"Win or lose, it has to be us showing up to play hard and showing we deserve a higher rank than other teams in that regional," Bender said.

"If we come dead, tired and asleep and get annihilated by them, then we deserve a lower seed."

Hurley lost to regional teams Chequamegon 18-3 and Phillips 3-1 this year so far.

Northland Pines 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 - 3 10 3

Hurley 2 0 0 0 0 3 x - 5 12 1