The Vermilion Ironhawks are counting on a deep pitching staff to contend in the Northern Division this spring.
Early evidence indicates that may be a good plan, given an outstanding performance on the mound in the program’s earliest-ever season opener.
Playing under sunny skies and on artificial turf in 50 degree conditions, Vermilion swept M State-Fergus Falls and struck out a whopping 26 batters in two games.
The Ironhawks prevailed 9-3 and 2-0 in the Presidents’ Day twinbill, with Vermilion pitchers dominant for much of the day.
After yielding three runs in the first inning of the opening game, Vermilion pitchers went 13 straight innings without giving up a run and issued only four walks.
Former Ely Legion standout Louie Panichi, a North Woods graduate, fanned seven in three innings to get the win in the opener, while relievers Dylan Spears and Griffin Stiel both had one-two-three innings, with Stiel striking out the side in a perfect seventh.
At the plate, returning all-region catcher Martin Cubillan knocked in three runs with two hits, and sophomore outfielder Cole Smith ripped a two-run single.
Dylan Ploen added two doubles for the Ironhawks and Stiel finished with two runs batted in.
Leadoff man Brandon Rucka scored four runs on the day and reached base six times.
Rucka would score the only run Vermilion would need in the nightcap, and sophomore Jo Jo Taverna had two singles to drive in both Ironhawk runs.
On the mound, freshman righthander Caiden Peters stymied the Spartans, fanning seven in three innings.
Colbie Parker followed on the mound and went two scoreless frames, and freshman lefty Brecken Boisvert recorded the save, striking out four batters in the last two innings.
Weather permitting, the Ironhawks will play Dakota- Bottineau (N.D.) this weekend in Wakefield, Neb., with the team’s annual spring trip to Florida set for March 4-11.
