Yellowjackets defeat Cowboys 18-2 in early game

In the first of two games Thursday, May 3, the Perham Yellowjackets put on a scoring clinic against Breckenridge, winning 18-2 to advance to the second game in the Section 8AA quarterfinals.

Logan Pulju led the Yellowjackets offense, driving in six runs on three hits. He opened Perham's scoring with a grand slam in the first inning, and he also drove in runs on a single in the first and a single in the second inning. Also contributing to the 11-run first included singles by Ben Shumansky and Jack Mensing, a walk by Andrew Smith, and a double by Chas Melvin.

Finn Diggins got the win on the mound for the Yellowjackets. He struck out five batters over two innings before Gage Germolus threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen, giving up four hits and two runs while walking two and striking out three batters.

Head coach James Mulcahy said the high-scoring first inning gave the Yellowjackets some momentum and a little room to relax.

"We got out to a hot start with the bats in general," he said. "Logan Pulju coming up with a grand slam in the first inning was a big energy boost for the day. Everyone relaxed and had fun the rest of the day. As we rolled 11 runs to start the game, it helped us settle our minds overall. The hits kept coming and allowed us to train our minds that quality at bats are the key to victory and prepped us for the big game against Wadena."

Yellowjackets 18, Cowboys 2

RHE

BRE 0 0 2 0 0 x x - 2 4 1

PER 11 3 2 2 x x x - 18 17 0

WP-Finn Diggins (PER)

LP-Conner Tidwell (BRE)

PER-Andrew Smith 2-4, 2R, 2RBI; Chas Melvin 3-4, 4R, 3RBI; Ben Shumansky 3-4, 2R, 3RBI; Rian Solberg 1-3, 3R, 1RBI; Logan Pulju 3-3, 2R, 6 RBI, HR; Jack Mensing 1-3, 1RBI; Gage Germolus 1-3, 1R; Austin Aanenson 2-4, 2R, 1RBI; Jacob McAllister 1-2, 2R, 1RBI

Pitching

PER-Finn Diggins 2IP, 5K; Gage Germolus 3IP, 4H, 2R, 2BB, 3K; BRE-Conner Tidwell .2IP, 5H, 8R, 3BB, 2K; Chris Nieto 1IP, 7H, 6R, 4ER, 3BB; Colin Roberts 2.1IP, 5H, 4R, 1BB

1/2: Perham's Chas Melvin slides safely into second base in the Yellowjackets 18-2 victory over Breckenridge Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Deer Creek. (Meghan Perry / Focus)

2/2: Perham head coach James Mulcahy chats with Logan Pulju at third base in the Yellowjackets game against Breckenridge Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Deer Creek. (Meghan Perry / Focus)