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High School
In softball district tournament action yesterday…
- Division Two – Houghton’s season ended with a 15-5 loss to Kingsford in their semifinal. The Fliivers broke the game open with a six-run third inning. Romi Mattson had two hits and drove in two runs for the Gremlins.
- In Division Four District 97 – Hancock stunned Lake Linden-Hubbell 4-3 to win the district crown. The Lakes, who lost just two regular-season games, scored two in the first inning without a hit. That lead held until the Bulldogs broke through with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Lake Linden loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but could only bring one runner home. Both pitchers shone – Lucy Biekkola got the win for Hancock, allowing three hits and striking out eight. Payton Goldsworthy gave up four hits and struck out 12 for Lake Linden. All of the Bulldogs’ runs were unearned. Gorldsworthy never got a chance to bat – Hancock walked her intentionally each time she came to the plate. In the semifinals, Lake Linden dispatched Gogebic 5-1. Cleo Milkey had a two-run triple, Taylor Goldsworthy homered, and Payton Goldsworthy struck 13. Hancock mercied Ontonagon 16-1. Alice Larson had three hits, scored three times, and drove in two. Biekkala struck out six. The Bulldogs will face Norway in a regional semifinal next Saturday at 2:00 at the Bone Yard in Lake Linden. L’Anse will play Superior Central in the other semifinal at noon.
In baseball district tournament play…
- Division Two – Houghton fell 8-5 to Kingsford in their semifinal. The Gremlins opened with three runs in the first inning, but couldn’t maintain the advantage. Joel Durocher had three hits and scored twice for the Gremlins.
- In Division Three, Hancock won the title with a 9-8 walk-off victory over Superior Central. The Bulldogs erupted for six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, capped by Todd Kilpela’s two-run double. Isaac Wanhala had three hits in the game. The Bulldogs reached the final with a 4-3 walkoff win over Westwood. Ben Keranen had four hits, including a single that drove home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. He also got the win on the mound, giving up just three hits while striking out 14. Superior Central shaded Calumet 2-1 in their semifinal. Darin Berg had two hits and scored the Copper Kings’ only run. He also took the tough loss on the mound, giving up just five hits and striking out nine. The Bulldogs will face Menominee in a regional semifinal Wednesday at 5:00 at Gladstone High School. The Maroons blanked Gladstone 10-0 to win their district title.
- In Division Four, Jeffers dispatched L’Anse 14-1 to take the crown. The Jets defeated Ontonagon 10-6 in their semifinal game. The Purple Hornets ousted Lake Linden-Hubbell 25-3. Jeffers will face North Dickinson in a regional semifinal Wednesday at Felch. The Nordics advanced with a 7-3 win over Gogebic.
The All-WestPAC Softball and Baseball teams have been released.
Negaunee swept the top softball honors, with Player of the Year Delaney Gladwell, Pitcher of the Year Alyse Robar, and Coach of the Year Randy Carlson.
Local First Team honorees include Lucy Biekkola and Alice Larson from Hancock, Chloe Coppo and Molly Erkkila from Calumet, and Lexi Burns from Houghton. Second Team honors went to Meg Ruohonen from Jeffers, Ellie Hainault from Houghton, Bethany Garrow from Calumet, and Kaelyn Rouleau and Emery Chynoweth from Hancock. See the full roster here.
Hancock’s Ben Keranen was named Baseball Player of the Year. Owen Cardinal and Tristan Slater from Negaunee shared Pitcher of the Year honors, and Jason Siik of the Miners was named Coach of the Year.
Local First Team honorees include Connor Helminen and Todd Kilpela from Hancock, Brycyn Nettell from Houghton, and Brogan Turner from Jeffers. Second Team honors went to Darin Berg and Joe Halonen from Calumet, Chase Keranen from Hancock, Joel Durocher from Houghton, and Blake Heltenun and Carson L’Esperance from Jeffers. See the full roster here.
The U.P. Track Championships for all divisions will be staged today at Kingsford.
NBA
The Thunder host the Spurs tonight. The Western Conference final is tied 3-3.
NHL
The Hurricanes clobbered the Canadiens 6-1. Carolina wins the Eastern Conference final 4-1. They’ll host the Golden Knights in the opening game of the Stanley Cup final Tuesday.
MLB
Miguel Vargas’ two-run homer off Drew Anderson in the bottom of the 10th inning gave the White Sox a 4-3 victory over the Tigers last night. Chicago had tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, with help from a throwing error by Spencer Torkelson. Matt Vierling scored on a sacrifice fly by Zack Short in the top of the 10th. The late loss spoiled a fine start by Troy Melton, who allowed a run on six hits over seven innings.
The Tigers visit the White Sox again this afternoon. Framber Valdez will start against Anthony Kay. Coverage will begin at 1:45 on 99.3 The Lift.
Starter Casey Mize is back on the injured list. He’s been diagnosed with right adductor inflammation after leaving Wednesday’s game. Beau Brieske has been brought off the injured list. He’s missed the entire season rehabbing from an adductor strain. Kerry Carpenter has been sent to Toledo on a rehab assignment. He’s missed most of May with a sprained shoulder.
Christian Yelich scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th, as the Brewers edged the Astros 5-4. David Hamilton and Jackson Chourio homered.
The Brewers host the Astros again this afternoon. Brandon Sproat will pitch against Peter Lambert.
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