Hancock’s Zach Geberkoff bats against Ontonagon on Monday, May 23, 2022, in Hancock, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — The Hancock Bulldogs continue to get better and better on the baseball field

It was evident Wednesday as they won a doubleheader against the visiting Ontonagon Gladiators with scores of 11-1 in game one and 15-10 in the second game.

With the sweep, the Bulldogs improve to 5-6 on the season. While their record leans towards the losing side, Hancock head coach Travis Pietila has noted nothing but improvement from when his crew first started in the gym two months ago. He said first and foremost you can see it at the plate.

“These guys are wanting to swing the bat,” he said. “They are up there to hit the ball and not look for walks or strikeouts, and that’s a good thing. When we put the ball in play, good things happen.”

While Ontonagon hurler, Ike Bramlett struck out the side to open the first inning, the Bulldogs figured him out in the second, third, fourth and fifth as they pounded out 11 runs for an 11-1 mercy-rule win. Key to bringing in runs for the Bulldogs was third baseman Ned Larson. He went 3-4 in the opener and had a couple of RBIs.

“Ned was seeing the ball well today as he made solid contact with each at bat,” Pietila said.

Bryce Hanner earned the win from the mound for the Bulldogs thanks to a clean, error-free defense behind him.

Ontonagon head coach Ray Bramlett gave credit to Ike for a good start in the first game. His frustration was in the errors that trailed him. He said of two games on Monday, the second game was Ontonagon’s best.

“To put it bluntly, we got the bats going in that second one,” Ray Bramlett said.

While it looked like it might be another mercy-rule game as the Bulldogs led 12-0 after the top of the fourth, the Gladiators rallied for four runs of their own. Base hits from Bramlett, Brandon Romenesko and Karson Clinesmith all contributed to the cause.

In the fifth, Asher Garrison and Jerry Majurin both got base hits for Ontonagon, and Hunter Badgero crossed home plate for one of two runs that inning.

“Hunter had a very nice game,” Ray Bramlett said. “He actually hit the ball quite well for us.”

In the sixth, the Gladiators were down 15-6 but posted another four-run rally before the third and final out. Kayle Kaarto and Badgero both had RBIs much to the delight of their coach.

“We’re getting there,” said Ray Bramlett. “We are a work in progress, but today the boys showed a lot of effort.”

Game one

OAHS 100 00 – 1

HCHS 014 33 – 11

Game two

HCHS 431 403 – 15

OAHS 000 424 – 10