Superior blanks Hibbing

Spencer Koskie knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning when he was hit in the head by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs.

“I was just looking to get on base any way I could,” Koskie said.

With Superior and Hibbing locked in a scoreless tie, the Spartans loaded the bases in their half of the sixth inning on Brent Engstrom’s infield single, an error and a walk.

Koskie then stepped to the plate and on the second pitch took one off his helmet to score Chris Blake, which accounted for the only run in Superior’s 1-0 win over Hibbing Friday evening at Morrie Arnovich Field.

Superior pitcher Rob Dembroski then sealed the victory with a 1-2-3 seventh inning.

In his first varsity complete game and shutout, Dembroski allowed four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Three of Hibbing’s hits never left the infield and the Bluejackets only had one runner reach second base. The sophomore also picked off two Hibbing runners at first base.

Taylor Olson led Superior on offense with a double and single. Kyle Wilander also doubled and Engstrom singled.

Ryan Hanegmon, Kent Ellefson, Dallas Coleman and Micah McDonald had Hibbing’s hits.

Steven Erickson took the loss for the ‘Jackets, allowing two walks with six strikeouts.

The game was played with wood bats. Superior and Hibbing were originally scheduled to play last weekend in Hibbing’s “Wood Bat Classic,” but the game was rained out.

Earlier on Friday, Hibbing defeated Duluth Marshall.

Superior’s back in action at 11 a.m. today when they host Menomonie for two games.

Dylan Ramage and Mike Higgins are scheduled to pitch for the Spartans, who are now 9-9 on the season.

SPARTAN SPIN: The SHS junior varsity lost to Hibbing’s JV 6-4. Marty Manion started on the mound for the Spartans and went 4 1/3 innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits. He also struck out four and walked one. George Eisenmann pitched the remainder of the game and was credited with the loss. He gave up three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out two. The Spartans had eight hits. Ryan Myhre and Manion had two hits apiece and Paul Edwards and Jordan McDonald added triples. ... Superior’s JV also lost to Duluth East 10-1 Thursday at Ordean Field. Nick Sitek started for the Spartans. He pitched four innings, allowing five runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks. Dan Kreidler pitched the final two innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits. Nolan Holcombe had two hits for the Spartans (10-5).

Tags: sports, spartans, baseball, hibbing