Area amateur baseball: Hager City 8, Bay City 2

Game recap: The Skeeters took a commanding lead early, building a 6-0 advantage after two innings, and rolled to a home victory.

Tony Schultz suffered the loss for Bay City, which managed only two hits Sunday.

Difference maker: Wyatt Rowe, a freshman at Minnesota State Mankato, wasn't sure if wanted to play for Hager City, but there was little doubt the Skeeters wanted him. Members of the Skeeters used facebook to recruit him during the offseason and it paid off. Two weeks ago he called player/manager Cory Brathall and said he wanted to play.

Rowe was solid in his debut with the Skeeters. He struck out four, walked five, allowed one hit and surrendered one unearned run in seven innings.

"He showed a lot of mental toughness," said Brathall, adding, "He got into jams and pitched right through it."

Top players: Ross Sweig went 3-for-5 for Hager City with a double, two runs and an RBI. Teammate Chase Melstrom finished 2-for-5 on the day with a double and a run.

Next up: Ellsworth at Hager City (1-1 overall; 1-0 St. Croix Valley League), 7:30 p.m. Friday; St. Croix Falls at Bay City (1-4, 0-2), 1 p.m. Saturday

Tags: hager city, hager city skeeters, sports, proam