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   The Hill City/Northland Storm battled through three close contests last week, highlighted by a thrilling 10-9 victory over Mille Lacs before suffering narrow losses to Northwoods and Cherry.

   HCN opened the week with a dramatic 10-9 win over Mille Lacs in a game packed with offense from both teams. The Storm built an early lead and held off a late Mille Lacs rally to secure the one-run victory.

   Avery Ruyak led the Storm offense with three hits, while Brooklyn Ruyak and Pearl Johnson each added multiple hits. Charity Berg and Jasmine Kingsley also contributed key hits during the back-and-forth contest as HCN capitalized on scoring opportunities throughout the game.

   The Storm then traveled to Northwoods where they dropped a heartbreaking 4-5 decision in eight innings. HCN battled back several times during the game and forced extra innings before Northwoods pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the eighth.

   A. Ruyak again paced the Storm offense with three hits while B. Ruyak, Johnson and Haley Barnes each added hits. Berg drove in a run and the Storm defense kept the game tight throughout the contest, but Northwoods came away with the walk-off win.

   HCN closed the week with a 0-2 loss to Cherry in a pitchers’ duel. The Storm managed several baserunners but were unable to break through offensively against Cherry’s defense.

   B. Ruyak recorded a pair of hits for HCN while A. Ruyak, Johnson and Maddie Barnes also added hits. The Storm defense kept the game within reach all afternoon, but Cherry scored once early and added an insurance run later to secure the shutout victory.

   

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