Chester Birds completes Friday sweep in Lakeview Classic

Keaton Studsrud finished the day with five hits, four for

extra bases, and five RBI.

After a 10-run win over Thunder Bay in the afternoon, Chester Bird completed a sweep of it's first two games in the Lakeview Classic with a 12-6 win over Superior.

A four-run first inning got The Birds out to an early lead. Just five pitches into the bottom of the first frame Chester Bird got on the scoreboard as Marcus Barone singled and scored on Keaton Studsrud's double. Three wild pitches would eventually bring in the other three runs to give The Birds a lead they would not relinquish.

The Reds came back with a run in the top of the third but Chester Birds scored once in the third, with Joe Melles scoring on a suicide squeeze bunt by Robby Sutherland, and once in the fourth, when Sam Lynch walked with one out, stole both second and third base and scored on a wild pitch.

Superior closed to within 6-3 when the Reds scored twice in the top of the sixth but Chester Bird responded with a six-run inning, with Studsrud doubling home a pair of runs and Gabe MacDonald singling home two more to highlight the inning.

Marcus Barone worked six innings in earning his third win of the season. He allowed three runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out seven.

Studsrud, who had gone 3-for-5 earlier in the day with a double and a home run, added two more doubles and three RBI to pace The Birds offensively.

With a 2-0 record, The Birds are the only unbeaten team in their pool. Chester Bird's final game in pool play is set for a 12:30 p.m. start, Saturday, when The Birds face Proctor in Cloquet. Elimination play begins in the evening with time, location and opponent to be determined.