The Hinckley-Finlayson Jaguars will challenge the East Central Eagles at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Hinckley-Finlayson will be strutting in after a win while East Central will be coming in after a defeat.
On Tuesday, Hinckley-Finlayson got the win against Crosby-Ironton by a conclusive 10-2.
| 05/12/26 vs Crosby-Ironton | 3 |
| 04/10/25 @ McGregor | 2 |
| 05/21/25 @ Aitkin | 1 |
| 05/19/25 vs Braham | 1 |
| 05/13/25 @ Crosby-Ironton | 1 |
Ethan Martin was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he tossed seven innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off six hits. Martin was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and one stolen base. Those three hits gave him a new career-high.
In other batting news, Jax Jerry was incredible, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs. Another player making a difference was Connor Olander, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run.
Meanwhile, East Central came up short against Mille Lacs co-op [Isle/Onamia] on Tuesday and fell 7-4.
Like Hinckley-Finlayson, East Central also got a great game from a two-way player: Gradyn Swenson. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing five innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off seven hits. That's the fewest hits Swenson has allowed since back in April. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. He is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as he's now snagged at least one in each of the last three games he's played.
Swenson wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Reace Youngberg, who went 2-for-4 with one stolen base, two RBI, and one run. Dane Swenson was another, going 1-for-3 with two runs and one double.
East Central's loss dropped their record down to 7-7. As for Hinckley-Finlayson, their victory bumped their record up to 3-7.
Hinckley-Finlayson couldn't quite finish off East Central when the teams last played back in April and fell 5-3. Can the Jaguars avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
