Spartans Sting Hornets In 7-1 Win

BIG LAKE -- The ROCORI Spartans baseball team stung the Big Lake Hornets in a nonconference game on Monday night in Big Lake.

ROCORI topped Big Lake 7-1 at Big Lake High School behind two big innings later in the game.

The Spartans, who trailed 1-0 heading into the fifth inning, scored three runs in the fifth to break the game open 3-1.

In the top of the seventh inning, ROCORI brought home four insurance runs to push the game out of reach.

Nolan Notch went 1-for-4 with one run scored and three RBI and Brady Klehr went 2-for-4 with two doubles and one RBI to lead the Spartans at the plate. Jack Steil went 2-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI, Brady Linn went 1-for-2 with one run scored and one RBI and Collin Eskew finished with one hit in the game.

Klehr pitched six stellar innings on the mound for ROCORI to shut down Big Lake. He gave up just three hits, one run, three walks and struck out five to grab the victory. Rudy Notch pitched the final inning in relief, striking out the side.

With the win, the Spartans improve to 8-9 overall on the season with two more games left to play during the regular season.

Next up for ROCORI is a Central Lakes Conference game against Brainerd at 5 p.m. on Tuesday in Brainerd. The contest is the final regular season road game of the year for the Spartans before they host Sauk Rapids in the regular season finale on Thursday.