The Superior Reds literally walked off with the Ely American League Tournament championship trophy Sunday.
With the Reds and Cloquet tied 10-10 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Judd Erickson’s single scored David Fender with the winning run to give Superior an 11-10 victory and the tournament title.
The Reds took a 3-0 lead on Wyatt O’Bey’s three-run home run in the first inning, but eventually trailed 10-6 before scoring three times in the bottom of the sixth inning and completing the comeback with a two-run seventh.
Gunner Johnson was the winning pitcher in relief, striking out two over the final 1 2/3 innings.
Superior had 18 hits, led by Trenton Wols and Erickson, who were both 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Fender finished 3-for-3 with an RBI; O’Bey was 2-for-3 with four RBIs; Johnson had two hits and an RBI; Carson Holsclaw doubled and singled; Hunter Frahm singled twice; and Dominic D’Auria doubled.
ADVERTISEMENT
Virginia 5 Superior 4
The Reds were held to five hits in their opening-game loss to Virginia.
Hunter Gustafson had two of Superior’s hits, while Johnson, O'Bey and Erickson all had one.
Superior 5 Stephen Argyle 0
The Reds were also limited to five hits by Stephen Argyle and the game was scoreless until the top of sixth inning when Superior scored all of its runs on three hits and three walks.
Gustafson doubled, singled and knocked in two runs and Derek Fender had two hits and an RBI.
ADVERTISEMENT
O'Bey allowed two hits with 13 strikeouts and four walks in a complete-game win.
Superior 14 Cross Lake 3
Superior scored twice in the first and four times in the second in a six-inning win over Cross Lake.
The Reds pounded out 14 hits led by Erickson going 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
Conner Fonger was also 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and three runs scored. Johnson chipped in with a double, two singles and four RBIs.
Justin Reinkall and Brandon Wing pitched for the Reds, allowing four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Superior 4 Proctor 2
Reinkall was the complete-game winner against Proctor, scattering seven hits with 12 strikeouts and two walks.
Johnson snapped a 2-2 tie with a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The win clinched the Red Pool title and gave them a berth in the championship game.
O'Bey led the offense with a double, single and RBI. D'Auria, David Fender and Derek Fender had a hit apiece.
NOTES: Tuesday’s game with Cloquet has been canceled. The Reds (21-8) will wrap up the regular season by hosting Esko at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Morrie Arnovich Field.
Championship Game
ADVERTISEMENT
Cloquet 031 024 0 -- 10 12 0
Superior 300 213 2 -- 11 18 1
