Hot-hitting Ironhawks off to 4-2 start in Florida

The Vermilion Ironhawks figured that pitching would be one of their strengths this spring.

But a season-opening trip to Florida has revealed a potent lineup - one capable of scoring runs in bunches.

A sophomore-dominated lineup piled up 26 runs in a Saturday night victory over Penn State-Fayetteville, while the community college baseball team scored in double digits in three other victories while opening a nine-game slate with a 4-2 record.

Starting pitchers Jake Palomo, Jacob Mickelson and Landon Wilkins were all effective on the mound in victories, with Wilkins firing five no-hit innings to earn his first collegiate win in Tuesday’s 12-2 decision over Lake Region (ND) in Auburndale, Fla.

Yet the story of the week for Vermilion has been its offense, with 69 runs scored in six games and a lofty .349 team batting average.

“We’ve taken advantage of opportunities other teams have given us, and have put up some big numbers,” said head coach Tom Coombe. “I thought our lineup would be deeper and more capable of scoring runs, but this start is a bit of a surprise.”

While sophomores are up and down the Vermilion batting order, one newcomer has made an immediate impact - freshman infielder Chris Arambula.

The Colorado native is hitting a sizzling .643 and leads the team in runs scored (10) while compiling an on-base percentage (.741).

Returning All-Northern Division infielder Mason Kostka had a three-run homer in Vermilion’s opening day 15-0, 14-2 sweep of rival Mesabi and the Eau Claire native has nine runs batted in thus far. Sophomore outfielders Jake Casazza and Franklin Wildes are both off to big starts. They combined for five hits and five RBI against Erie, while Casazza is seven- for-13 (.538) with a team-best 10 RBI. Wildes, meanwhile, has reached base 11-of-14 times for a team-best (.786) on base percentage. He is hitting .500 with eight runs scored.

Another sophomore, catcher/ infielder Kelbee Woodham, is tied with Casazza with 10 RBI and is hitting .500. Centerfielder Nick Berglund, a Becker native with Ely family ties and the grandson of Elyites Dale and Marlene Marleau, has already scored eight runs from the top of the Vermilion lineup.

“Those numbers aren’t going to hold up over a 40 game season, but I think we are showing that this will be a team that’s capable of scoring, more so than we have in the past, and that’s going to help up us as we move into conference play,” said Coombe.

The Vermilion pitching has been largely effective in Florida, except for a couple of bouts with control when Ironhawks pitchers issued double digits in free passes.

Palomo, who also earned all-division status as a freshman, pitched four scoreless innings and gave up one hit as he blanked Mesabi on Opening Day. Mickelson gave up one earned run in four innings while gaining the win in the nightcap.

Another sophomore, Desoto Hood, fanned five batters in two innings before leaving because of a tight elbow in Vermilion’s win over PSU-Fayette. Sophomore Marcus Haire got the win in that game in relief and worked three innings, giving up one run, on Tuesday against Lake Region.

Wilkins showed he may be a factor in the Vermilion rotation Tuesday, holding Lake Region without a hit while making his first college start on the mound. Earlier in the trip, the Reno native had one-twothree innings in relief against both Mesabi and PSU-Fayette.

“Landon has a ton of poise on the mound and doesn’t get rattled,” said Coombe. “He has put himself in position to get a lot of innings for us.”

Vermilion closed out its Florida swing after deadline and is counting on the unseasonably mild March weather and the absence of snow to avoid the usual long layoff between the Florida trip and Minnesota baseball.

Weather permitting, the Ironhawks return to the field on Saturday, March 16, at Aurora, with a doubleheader against Hibbing.