C-I, Pierz, Verndale win

CROSBY - Derek Midthun was 2-for-3 and Kyle Leonard was 1-4 with a double, run scored and two RBIs for the Crosby-Ironton Rangers as they beat the Pine River-Backus Tigers 4-2 in non-conference baseball Thursday.

Mike Gontarek picked up the win on the mound as he gave up two runs on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

Pine River-Backus 2 4

Crosby-Ironton 2 7

WP: Mike Gontarek. 2B: Kyle Leonard. Overall: CI 1-0. Next: CI at Staples-Motley 4 p.m. Friday (2).

Pierz 14, Rockford 4

PIERZ - Michael Weber was 3-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs and Scott Janson was 2-2 with two runs and four RBIs for the Pierz Pioneers as they grounded the Rockford Rockets 14-4 in Central Minnesota Conference baseball Thursday.

Mark Kahl got the win as he came on in relief. He pitched three innings, giving up no runs, two hits and a walk while striking out seven.

Kahl helped his own cause at the plate as he went 2-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Rockford 4 6 3

Pierz 14 13 3

WP: Mark Kahl. LP: Eric Jakubowski. 2B: P-Michael Weber, Mark Kahl. Conference: P 1-0. Overall: P 1-0. Next: Pierz vs. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa at Regal 5 p.m. Friday.

Verndale 7, Ottertail Central 4

BATTLE LAKE - Cole Weber was 2-for-2 with a triple, two runs, two stolen bases and three RBIs and threw five innings, giving up three earned runs while striking out eight, to lead the Verndale Pirates past Ottertail Central 7-4 in Park Region Conference baseball Thursday.

Sam Moenkedick was 1-3 with two runs scored and an RBI and Matt Moenkedick had two RBIs and a stolen base for Verndale.

Matt Moenkedick picked up the save as he pitched two innings and struck out three.

Verndale 7 7 1

Ottertail Central 4 4 1

WP: Cole Weber. LP: Jeff Hamon. 2B: V-Jay Runyan. 3B: V-Cole Weber. Conference: 1-1. Overall: 1-1. Next: Verndale at Lake Park Audubon 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Milaca 10, Pequot Lakes 0

PEQUOT LAKES - Jake Serfling was 2-for-3 with two singles as the Pequot Lakes Patriots lost to Milaca 10-0 in six innings Thursday.

Patriots hurler Ben Kepner took the loss despite pitching a complete game. He allowed six earned runs to go along with two strikeouts and three walks.

Tyler Wittwer had a double for Pequot Lakes.

Milaca 10 8 1

Pequot Lakes 0 4 3

WP: Bryant. LP: Ben Kepner. 2B: PL-Tyler Wittwer. Overall: PL 0-1. Next: Pequot Lakes hosts Walker-H-W Friday 4:30 p.m.

New York Mills 9, Pillager 7

PILLAGER - Justin Gangestad had a double and two RBIs for Pillager in a 9-7 loss to New York Mills on Thursday.

Jake Eastman took the loss for Pillager. Justin Ringler and Jordan Hunstad each had RBIs for the Huskies.

New York Mills 9 4 2

Pillager 7 4 4

WP: Mike Baune. LP: Jake Eastman. 2B: (P-Justin Gangestad. 3B: . HR: . Conference: 1-1. Overall: 1-1. Next: at Browerville 4:30 p.m. Monday.

St. Cloud Tech 7, Little Falls 6

ST. CLOUD - Little Falls stranded the tying run at third base in the seventh inning as St. Cloud scored a 7-6 Central Lakes Conference win over the Flyers at Joe Faber Field on Thursday.

Tech overcame seven errors and scored seven runs in the fifth, highlighted by Nick Roeder's three-run double. Winning pitcher Collin Stinogel was 2-for-3 to lead the Tigers.

Beau Hanowski and Andrew Lange had the only Flyer hits.

Little Falls 6 2 0

St. Cloud Tech 7 7 7

WP: Collin Stinogel. LP: Beau Hanowski. 2B: SCT-Nick Roeder, Stinogel, John Denne, Ryan Spengler. Conference: LF 1-1. Overall: LF 1-1. Next: Sauk Rapids at Little Falls 11 a.m. Saturday.