Northstars in line to share Northern Lights Conference title

HURLEY --- The Hurley baseball team avenged an early-season loss with a 6-5 victory over Washburn Wednesday, May 8.

“Great win tonight,” Hurley coach Bart Innes said.

Carter Hall tripled to tie the game in the fifth inning and he scored the go-ahead run on a single by Jayden Zaleski.

Hall picked up the win on the mound. He struck out 11 in a complete-game effort with two walks, five hits and five runs (four earned) allowed.

“Carter pitched another dandy,” Innes said.

Devin Soltis finished with two triples and Hall, Jack Caudill and Zaleski both had two hits.

“We flipped the script on them tonight,” Innes said. “We’re starting to click by getting contributions too in the bottom of the lineup.”

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GRAND VIEW, Wis. --- Hurley assured it can share the Northern Lights Conference title with Washburn after beating Drummond 17-3 Monday.

The Northstars go to Butternut-Mercer to wrap up the league season Saturday and a win would give them a share of the title. They beat the Pioneers 31-1 in the first meeting last month.

Hurley scored three runs in the first inning Monday and 10 in a huge second inning that included a grand slam by Soltis, “who is currently hitting everything thrown at him,” Innes said.

Hall started and went three good innings to get the win. Caudill and Isaac Innes finished it.

Hall went 3 for 4 with two triples and 5 RBIs.

“Really had some great at-bats tonight against a good team,” coach Innes said. “Scoring five runs in the second with two outs from the bottom of the order was impressive with great patience.”

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MELLEN, Wis. --- Hurley lost a chance to win the Northern Lights Conference title outright with a 9-8 loss to Mellen Thursday.

The Northstars had just moved into the top spot by itself ahead of Washburn after defeating those Castle Guards the day before. But Mellen pulled off the upset of Hurley in a close battle.

“Very disappointing loss tonight with what was at stake,” Innes said.

Hurley pitchers struck out 15 Mellen batters, but they also walked 15 and hit three while surrendering one hit. The Northstars only committed one error, but Innes said it was costly.

“We just had a bad night on the mound,” he said. “Innes started and looked the part but fell apart in the third.”

He was relieved by Riley Holm and Soltis.

Soltis led Hurley at the plate. He led off the game with a home run and went 3 for 3. Jack Rowe had two hits.

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Hurley --- Hurley team dropped a non-conference game 13-3 to visiting Phillips Tuesday.

Jack Caudill took the loss.

“Tough luck start for Jack,” Innes said. “He really pitched well but received no help from the defense at times.”

Hurley trailed 3-2 in the second inning when the game turned.

“We kinda went flat after the second when it ended with a crushing double play, we lost all emotion after that,” coach Innes said.

Isaac Innes, Riley Holm and Hall drove in runs and Hall finished with two hits.

Hurley (10-5) goes to Ironwood Thursday.