A four-run first inning, highlighted by Nick Wong’s two-run single, helped Anoka Ramsey ended an eight-game slide May 4 at Wintercrest West in its Southern Division MCAC game with Minnesota West.

The loser of three consecutive games to Minnesota West, including an 11-1 first-game-of-a-doubleheader contest earlier in the day May 4 at Wintercrest, Anoka Ramsey came out of the box quickly in game two to establish the big, early lead on its way to a 7-3 win.

Tough-luck sophomore right-hander Jared Carlson (Maranatha) scattered eight hits, struck out nine batters and did not issue a walk in not only picking up his first win of the 2011 season, but of his Anoka Ramsey career. As a freshman relief pitcher four years earlier, Carlson did not record a victory. Carlson had pitched very well in many previous outings — during this return season at Anoka Ramsey — but had an 0-5 record going into May 4.

Wong (Roseville Area) provided most of the run support, finishing with a three-RBI game, while Jack Kiesner (St. Michael Albertville) and Sam Blevins (Roseville Area) also had run-scoring hits.

And contributing a run-scoring bunt was catcher Travis Norman (Denfeld), who squeezed home Nick Knoche (St. Bernard’s) from third with a fifth-inning run.

Sophomore right-hander Jared Carlson. Photo by Alan Williams