Blues rally past Grand Rapids

HERMANTOWN, Minn. -- The Superior Blues Junior American Legion team made it 2-for-2 with come-from-behind victories in the Eskolsen Tournament, which is taking place at Fichtner Memorial Field in Hermantown.

One day after rallying for an 8-4 win over West Duluth VFW, the Blues were at it again Saturday afternoon with a 15-12 win over Grand Rapids.

Training 10-2 after four innings, the Blues comeback started with Taylor Olson’s two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning. Scoring ahead of Olson was Dylan Ramage, who was hit by a pitch.

The Blues added five runs in the sixth inning, followed up by six more in the seventh.

Spencer Koskie doubled to lead off the sixth inning for Superior. After moving to second base on Dan Kriedler’s sac bunt, John Edwards and Zach Magdzas walked load the bases, which led to a Grand Rapids pitching change.

Koskie went on to score on a wild pitch and after a pop put, Nick Sitek ripped two-run double. Sitek and Ramage, who also walked, eventually scored on wild pitches to get the Blues within 10-9.

After Sitek threw his second straight 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, Superior completed it comeback in the seventh, thanks to five walks, a three-run triple by Sitek and a two-run single by Koskie. The only other hit in the frame was Kriedler’s single.

Grand Rapids scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning before Marty Manion, Superior’s third pitcher, ended the game with a fly out and ground out.

Ramage, Sitek and Marty Manion pitched for Superior, allowing 12 hits with seven strikeouts and seven walks.

Superior finished with 10 hits. Sitek was 3-for-4 with five RBIs and three runs scored. Besides homering, Olson hit a first-inning sacrifice fly to score Manion, who led off the game with a walk.

Koskie also doubled, singled and knocked in two runs, Kriedler singled twice and Ramage and Sam Schiff had a hit each.

The Blues, now 9-1 on the season, play in the semifinals at 10 a.m. Sunday. The third-place game is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the championship game for approximately 5 p.m.

The Blues will also be in action at 6 p.m. Monday for a doubleheader at Cloquet. They return home at 6 p.m. Wednesday to host Ashland for two games.

Tags: grand rapids, sports, baseball, prep, superior, hermantown