Tyler Korby

When AJ Kazel applied the tag on the runner for the final out of the state championship game last week, the Esko senior first baseman knew exactly what his next steps would be. "I put that ball in my back pocket," said Kazel.

When asked what her three seniors have meant to her and their community's softball squad over the years, an emotional Moose Lake/Willow River head coach Kelley Goeb needed a moment. Rightfully so, as the momentum that Sarah Christy, Alexis Hoffmann and Hannah Roach have brought to the Rebels' program has sent them soaring into the record books.

Since the days of T-ball, Ben Haugen has been coaching his son, Cale, how to throw, catch, hit and run. Tuesday was evidence of just that. Cale, now an Esko senior and do-it-all pitcher, hurled a complete-game two-hitter and struck out 10 batters in leading his Eskomos to a 7-1 victory over Rock Ridge during a Section 7AA baseball game Tuesday afternoon at Wade Stadium in Duluth. Esko was propelled into Thursday's championship against Mora.