HILL CITY- The Hill City/Northland baseball team was ripe for the picking last week when North Woods came visiting, with the Storm riding a six-game losing streak. The Grizzlies cashed in for their first win of the season.
North Woods pitcher Louie Panichi led off the Thursday game with a single and came around to score, staking the Grizzlies to an early 1-0 lead. Panichi scored again in the third after hitting a double before the Storm notched their first run of the game in the bottom of the inning.
Panichi was sharp and the Grizzlies defense strong as North Woods recorded four innings of three-and-out play in the game. While keeping the Storm at bay, the Grizzlies continued adding to their lead, scoring three runs in the fifth. Carson Johnson got on base and came home on a triple by Panichi, adding to his earlier single and double. Levi Chaulklin brought Panichi home with a single, then crossed the plate himself for the third run of the inning and a 5-1 advantage.
It was Dawson Stavenger’s turn to single and score in the top of the sixth, with Panichi missing the chance to hit for the cycle when he stroked his second double and fourth hit of the game. Panichi then crossed the plate for his fourth run of the game, putting North Woods up 7-1.
Panichi carried the ball to the mound for the bottom of the seventh, but after a shaky start was relieved by John Warren after throwing his 91st pitch. The Storm scored one run, but Warren and the Grizzlies closed out the game from there, ringing up the 7-2 victory.