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Four hits with two outs in a four-run fourth inning proved to be the difference for Estherville Lincoln Central in an 8-5 win over Spirit Lake on Thursday.

The Midgets trailed 4-3 heading into the inning. With two outs, courtesy runner Adam McCarthy was on first base running for Cody Prather, who had a one-out single.

After Jeremy Hunt flew out to center for the second out, Justin Doyle ripped the ball to right-center for an RBI-triple. Joel Kazmerzak followed with a double to deep center with Marcus Christensen and Chance Moore following with a pair of RBI singles.

Spirit Lake only managed one run the final three innings as ELC held on for the win.

"We came back when we need to," said ELC coach Chuck Fandel. "Spirit Lake hit the ball well, but Cody (Prather) settled down the last couple innings and pitched up on people."

ELC opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first inning.

Chance Moore hit a one-out single and stole second base and scored on a single by Keith Fandel. Fandel stole second and went to third as Spirit Lake had throwing error on the play. Alex Arends reached on a single and stole second. Prather stepped up to the plate and hit a ball towards first baseman Levi Davis. An error allowed two runs to score for a 3-0 ELC lead.

Spirit Lake began chipping into the lead. Nik Erickson drew a one-out walk in the second. With two outs, Paul Brown singled and Erickson scored when Shae Heinrichs reached on an ELC error.

In the third inning, Ryan Jennings led off with a single and stole second, Derrick Miner dew a walk and Mitch Peschon was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ethan Carlson hit into a double play as Jennings scored, but ELC limited the damage to one run as Prather struck out Erickson.

Spirit Lake took the lead in the top of the fourth as Davis led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an ELC error. Shae Heinrichs drew a walk followed by a sacrifice bunt by Zubeen Azari. Jennings then delivered an RBI double. ELC got out of the inning when Peschon flew out to left fielder Scott Schmidt.

After ELC scored its four runs in the fourth, the Indians scored their final run when Carlson led off the fifth with a double followed by two singles.

ELC catcher Doyle threw out Erickson trying to steal third and Prather retired the next two batters on a strikeout and a groundout.

ELC scored an insurance run in the sixth when Kazmerzak reached first on a dropped third strike. He stole second and scored on a two-out single by Moore.

Moore was 3-4 with three RBI and three stolen bases.

Prather, Doyle and Kazmerzak all went 1-3. Christensen and Fandel each went 1-4.

For Spirit Lake, Jennings was 3-4 with an RBI, Davis was 2-4 and Carlson, Erickson and Brown each went 1-3.

Prather earned the win as he struck out four batters and walked five.

Carlson took the loss for Spirit Lake. He struck out six batters and walked one.

Spirit Lake (4-8, 1-6) is home with Sheldon tonight.

ELC (11-5) is home with Spencer today.

Spirit Lake011 210 0 - 5 9 4

ELC300 401 x - 8 8 4

WP: Cody Prather. LP: Ethan Carlson.