West Ishpeming, MI – June 3rd, 2022 – The Negaunee Miners girls softball team defeated the Westwood Patriots in the semi-finals of the 2022 District tournament this afternoon. The game was broadcasted on 105.1-99.9.
Grace Nardi started on the mound for the Miners, as she quickly found herself in a jam after a walk and an error. Fortunately, she was able to retire the side without allowing any runs. Lilly nelson and Josie Thomson got the hitting going in the bottom of the first for the Miners, as Grace Nardi brought in Thomson for an RBI-single. Lilly Nelson was able to cross the plate one batter later, as the Miners ended the inning with a 3-0 lead.
The Miners defense showed some flash in the top of the 2nd, as they successfully retired the side after an athletic double play, not allowing any runs. The Miners weren’t able to find the plate either, as it was still 3-0 heading into the 3rd inning.
Mark Evans, the Negaunee Miners play-by-play announcer said it perfectly during the broadcast, “The Negaunee Miners are on auto pilot”. They were quickly able to retire the side defensively, offensively they were able to score one more run, to lead it 5-0 to begin the 4th inning.
The Miners defense and Grace Nardi showed that they are in fact human, as Westwood was able to score a couple runs before another double play from Negaunee ended the top of the inning. Negaunee was unfazed about the few runs they gave up, as Lilly Nelson brought in 2 with a deep double off the wall. The runs did not stop there, as Negaunee scored 3 more runs to take a 10-2 lead heading into the 5th.
The Patriots had an excellent opportunity to do some damage during the top of the 5th, but they were only able to score 1 after yet another infield double play from the Miners. Lilly Nelson added an RBI late in the inning for the Miners, as it was the only run scored. Negaunee led 11-4 to begin the 6th inning.
The Miners quickly retired the side in the top of the 6th as they went 3 up, 3 down. Negaunee had the opportunity to close the game early on the offensive side of the ball, as they only needed 3 runs to end the game, unfortunately no runs were scored. Thankfully, the Miners only needed 3 more outs to end the game, and that’s exactly what they did. Negaunee defeated the Westwood Patriots by a score of 11-5 to advance to the District Championship game, to face off against the Calumet Copper Kings.
Final: Negaunee 11 Westwood 5
The Miners earned themselves a birth in the district championship game which will be played later today, Friday, June 3rd against the Calumet Copper Kings.
