Negaunee, MI – May 17, 2021 – The Negaunee Miners Softball Team took down the Norway Knights 4-2 at LaCombe Field in Negaunee. Mark Evans and Gregg Nelson had the call on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1 and 99.9.
LISTEN TO THE FULL GAME HERE (103 min.)
1st Inning
Norway was able to get a few runners on the base in the top of the first. The lead off batter was walked and a single later on in the inning put two runners on and one in scoring position with two outs. However, the Miner’s defense held firm and got the ground out to hold the Knights scoreless after one. In the bottom of the inning, Negaunee struck first with an RBI double by Katelyn Lammi, which gave the Miners an early 1-0 lead.
2nd Inning
It was all about Negaunee pitcher Josie Thompson in the top of the second. Thompson faced four batters this inning and struck out three of them. The Knights still couldn’t get anything on the board. Norway made up for it on the other side, as the Miners went three up three down in the bottom of the second. Nonetheless, they still maintained their 1-0 lead.
3rd Inning
Norway was able to turn it around in the third. Lead-off hitter and starting pitcher Kelly Stanchina gave the Knights some momentum by getting into scoring position with a double, and she was later batted in by Popp to tie up the game 1-1. Later on, a sacrifice fly scored one more for Norway before the Miners could retire the side. In the bottom of the inning, Negaunee’s batters struggled more or less like they did in the second. Apart from one Miner being hit by a pitch, they couldn’t get anything going. Norway took the 2-1 lead to end the third.
4th Inning
It was another great inning for Josie Thompson to keep the Miners in the game. Yet another inning of three strikeouts for the Miner’s starting pitcher to give her an incredible eight strikeouts through four innings. On offense, Negaunee was able to retake the lead. RBI hits from Larissa Anderson and Morgan Ulvila gave the Miners the 3-2 advantage.
5th Inning
Norway got into scoring position a few times in the top of the fifth, but Negaunee continued to be solid on defense when it mattered. Despite having runners on first and second with one out, the Miners were able to retire the side. Although Negaunee prevented the Knights from retaking the lead, they couldn’t extend it. A three up and three down inning offensively kept the Miner lead at 3-2.
6th Inning
Negaunee continued to keep Norway’s batters from getting across the plate. Three quick outs, including Thompson’s tenth strikeout, stopped the Knights from regaining the advantage. On the other side, Negaunee finally got an insurance run with another RBI from Anderson. The Miners had a little breathing room, as they were on top 4-2 going into the final inning.
7th Inning
Negaunee needed one more strong defensive performance to finish off the Knights, and that is exactly what they did. The Miners got the first three batters out to complete the comeback win. Thompson had another impressive outing by recording 12 strikeouts in the victorious effort. The two RBI hits by Anderson were also key for the Miner’s win.
Final: 4-2
NEXT GAME: The Miners take on the Escanaba Eskymos at home on Thursday, May 20th. Tune in for the Elder Agency Pregame Show with Mark Evans and Gregg Nelson at 3:45pm on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1 and 99.9.