When I tuned into the Two Harbors vs. Esko varsity baseball game on April 30th, it was 0-4 with Esko in the lead at the top of the second. Before the end of the inning, Esko pulled off a double and in doing so brought in 2 runs.
The Agates rallied in the third and cut the lead in half. When #10 Jaden Osberg hit a double, #12 Cooper Anderson was able to move to 3rd base. #17 Thor Tokvam walked and loaded up the bases for #6 Brenner Quinn. His double brought in 3 runs!
Alas, Esko is having a pretty good season so far and those would be the only 3 runs Two Harbors would be able to gain against Esko’s 13. Esko is 11-0 overall, but they are just one win ahead of Silver Bay in the Polar standings.
The junior varsity Agates fared no better against Esko, who were able to shut them out with a score of 0-14.
The double-header that would bring Crosby-Ironton to Two Harbors High School on May 4th was postponed as the rain rained on everybody’s parade.
Then things looked to turn around for the Agates. The team’s potential began to shine, especially in the first few innings against Cromwell-Wright on May 6th. The team travelled up to Two Harbors for a double header. Once again, I wasn’t able to catch the beginning inning, but I was online for the top of the second. It was 0-1, with the Cardinals on the board.
I’m glad I hadn’t waited any longer to sign in. The bottom of the 2nd was fun to see. #21 Garren Tikkanen served as lead hitter and definitely lead the charge with a single. #7 Noah Mecklin was hit by a pitch and #15 Jackson McDonald walked. Tokvam would walk, too. Tikkanen scored and, just like that, the game was tied.
With 2 outs and bases loaded #27 Anders Hastings’ turn at bat brought him to 2 strikes and 3 balls. When he hit a single, both McDonald and Mecklin made it home. Though Tokvam and Hastings advanced bases while Quinn was at bat, a ground out ended the inning.
Tokvam took the mound at the top of the third and made the inning a short one. After two strikeouts, he tossed out the next Cardinal at bat at first base.
The momentum continued into the bottom of the third. The bases loaded up quickly and when a teammate walked to first, #10 Jaden Osberg crossed home plate and brought the score to 4-1. Bases were still loaded, McDonald hit a single and both Mecklin and Tikkanen ran to home plate. #25 Kael Jones ran in on Tokvam’s single.
At the end of the third, the score was 7-1 with the home team in the lead. Tokvam, once again, did not mess around on the mound. After 3 quick strikeouts, the inning ended and Two Harbors would again have the chance to advance their lead.
And they did. On an error, Meklin stole third and took the opportunity to run all the way in. His teammate Kael Jones followed him in on the same error and the score was 9-1. The top of the third moved quickly once again. Tokvam struck out two batters and the third was out at first.
Cromwell-Wright must’ve been warmed up by then as the game took a bit of a turn. In the top of the 6th, Two Harbors quickly saw their 8 run lead dwindle in rapid succession. Before the Agates got their turn at bat, the Cardinals had bounced back with a score of 9-5. The bottom of the 6th didn’t prove fruitful for the team with a strike out and a double play.
The Cardinals tied it up in the 7th, but Tokvam saved the day, scoring one run and giving the Agates their first win since they played a doubleheader against the Cook County Vikings on April 11th.
The Agates would go on to be crushed by the Cardinals in the second round of the doubleheader. The score was 1-21.
Two Harbors has shown much potential throughout their season so far and I feel they have a good chance of improving their record as they play many games in rapid succession in May. They will be playing at home on May 14 against Cloquet and again on the 17th against Mesabi East. Agates fans, consider supporting your team by coming down to the field and giving them a well-deserved boost!
