Elk River pitcher Erik Nyquist was a study in efficiency, throwing just 66 pitches as he went the distance, striking out six in a 2-0 win over Park Center on Wednesday night at Hales Field in Elk River.
The Elks' victory avenged an early-season loss to the Pirates. Having already locked up the Northwest Suburban Conference title, the Elks’ mission this week is to stay sharp and battle-ready for the section playoffs.
“I think we’re headed in the right direction right now," Nyquist said. "We still got a long way to go, but I’m really pleased with the success so far."
Nyquist caught the top of the Pirate’s lineup swinging early, striking out two batters first inning. Park Center’s Dan Hanson needed a mere eight pitches to exit the first inning. Nyquist then followed with another 1-2-3 inning, downing three batters with 10 pitches.
“He’s been doing it for us all year,” Elk River coach Ryan Holmgren said. “When he’s able to get his breaking ball over for strikes and give hitters a third thing to think about, that’s when he’s had pretty impressive success.”
Neither team loaded the bases, and it was evident the victor would need to play some small ball.
That didn’t quite happen.
Leading off the second inning, senior Jordan Hollom watched a strike go by him. Hanson delivered the second pitch and Hollom cracked a high shot to left field. G-force winds carried the ball to warning track.
“I actually didn’t think I hit it that far,” Hollom said. “I kinda hit the lower section of the sweet spot, so I didn’t think it was gonna go out.”
The ball dropped beyond the fence and gave the Elks their first run of the game and Hollom’s third homer of the season.
In the bottom of the third Elk River scored again after Brandon Meyer hit a deep ball to left-centerfield. The Pirates’ fielder failed to make the catch near the wall as Meyer drove in Mylo Hommes from second base.
From there it was all defense. Nyquist allowed only three hits in the latter innings.
Nyquist took some of the workload off his defense, picking off Brandon Budnick at first base to retire the side in the top of the sixth.
“It’s nice when Erik pitches, because it forces guys to stay involved.” Holmgren said. “Having guys know that we’re going to get a lot of balls hit at us, and when we make the plays, we’ll probably be in good shape.
In a final Park Center comeback effort, Austin Ledin singled in the top of the seventh inning, but Nyquist struck out Andrew Brown and forced a fly ball, closing out the game.
Elk River faces Duluth East on Thursday as it tries to maintain the momentum and enter Section 7AAA in top form.
“Our section seeds straight off the QRF so every win is big for us no matter what,” Holmgren said. “It’s been a bit of a battle trying to get these guys to understand that maybe it doesn’t count for the conference, it still counts for a lot more.”
