Houghton’s Gaborik Carlson, left, attempts to make a catch in front of teammate Bryce Pugh during a game against Marquette on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Houghton, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Big bats from the Marquette Redmen and poor fielding by the Houghton Gremlins led to a 12-5 victory Tuesday for Marquette.

“I was happy with the way we came out swinging,” said Redmen head coach Derek Swajanen.

Marquette tallied one run in the top of the first with a base hit by third baseman Erik Johnson. He would make it home on a walk and two Gremlins errors.

The second inning was the Gremlins’ downfall. Four hits in a row for the Redman of Houghton’s starter Reed Heathman led to a seven runs for Marquette. The swing fest included doubles by Josh VandenAvon and Brady Wright. Erik Johnson and and Justin added line-drive singles to the mix.

“We had 17 hits this game,” Swajanen said. When you put the ball in play and limit your walks good things happen.”

Heathman was replaced by right-handed hurler Nick Horning who was able to close out the inning.

The Redmen struck again twice in the third with base raps by VandenAvon and Wright.

The Gremlins finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth as Brandon Norkel started the inning off with a base hit up the middle. Heathman followed with an RBI double and would eventually score.

The Gremlins tallied three more in the fifth but it wouldn’t be enough to catch the Redmen.

Over seven innings, Redmen starter Justin Wenk and Marquette’s bullpen recorded 10 strikeouts.

“Wenk threw strikes and wasn’t afraid to mix it up with his curveball,” Swajanen said.

A frustrated Gremlins head coach Joe Romano said his team beat themselves.

“We were flat, and you can’t miss ground balls and fly balls against a good team like Marquette,” Romano said.