Esko baseball wins first ever State Championship

Friday marked the first time ever that the Esko played in the Class AA state title game, making their first state tournament appearance in 23 years, beating Perham by the final of 9-0.

It didn’t take long for Esko to get on the board as in only the second inning Connor Pearce plated the game’s first run, sending home a diving Bobby Thornton.

The fifth inning was when the game broke open for the Eskomo’s with a runner on second Sam Haugen recorded an RBI single making it 2-0.

Still in the fifth Cale Haugen followed that up with hit all the way to the warning track for a two run triple making it 4-0.

Esko entered the top of the 6th with a 6-0 lead after a five run 5th.

Cale Haugen continued his toured pace going 3-4 at the plate in the 6th when he recorded yet another RBI, helping the team to a 8-0 lead into the 7th.

“I’m so happy! Me and my seniors have been playing together forever now and for us to finally get here and get the job done; its awesome,” said senior pitcher Cale Haugen.

Finn Furcht put a cap on the game when he hit a solo homerun in the top of the 7th.

Junior pitcher Dylan Marciulionis pitched the entire game and had 9 strikeouts in the game.

“I still had business, I tried not to get too excited. Towards the last inning I tried not to get too excited and keep it under wraps. I was thinking that the jobs not finish and just keep going. Trust my stuff and keep going.”

Head coach Ben Haugen shared with WDIO how his team performed thoughout the whole state title run. “Our offense carried us today; we got just three unbelievable pitching performances.”

Coach also mentioned how this win was not only for the current team and players but for former coaches, players and the community of Esko.

The Eskomo’s finish the season with an overall record of 27-1, winning the final game of the season and State Title for the first time in program history.