Copper Country Flames’ Levi Frahm, center, congratulates teammates Kade Farrell, left, and Zach Geborkoff after they scored against the Marquette Blues during American Legion play Thursday, July 7, 2022, in Houghton, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — When it comes to American Legion baseball in the Upper Peninsula, there is no love lost on the diamond between the Copper Country Flames and the Marquette Blues.

Both teams battled it out it for the state title game last year, and they renewed their competition this year on Thursday with a doubleheader at the Houghton High School baseball field.

The Flames got revenge with a doubleheader sweep including a 4-3 win in the first game and a 10-5 win in the second.

“We had too many errors in both games,” said Blues manager Mark Pantti. “We are a work in progress, and you cannot give a good team like that four and five outs an inning.”

In the first game, the Flames (10-1) jumped out to a 4-0 lead and kept rolling. Hits in the first frame came off the bats of Kade Farrell and Brandon Norkol. Three walks issued by Marquette’s starter Parker Maki in that inning as well aided the Flames in their early lead.

Also key was the strong pitching by the Flames Nick Horning. It was not until the fourth inning that the Blues got their first hit off the starter.

“Nick threw a gem,” said Flames manager Wes Frahm. “”He was able to keep his pitch count down and throw a complete game.”

The Flames also played impeccable defense – keeping the Blues runners on base and not at home. The Blues (5-4) left nine runners on base – way too many, Pantti said.

The boys from Marquette finally broke the ice in the fifth inning with runs plated by Isaac Sarles, Brody Caster and Pete VandenAvond. However, three runs wouldn’t be enough to squelch the Flames, and the Blues would have to put their hopes in game two to leave with a win.

The nightcap looked a lot like the opener with the Flames slugging their way out to a 6-1 lead after two innings. This included a five-run second inning for the Flames.

“I thought heads-up baserunning was key in this one,” Frahm said. “We were able to put the pressure on them and take the extra base.”

Cam Clischke, Levi Frahm, Reed Heathman and Gaborik Carlson all had stolen bases in this one.

As well, Heathman would go on to have a stellar night at the plate.He blasted a solo home run over the fence at the 325-foot mark in the second inning and batted 3 for 3 on the day with three runs and two RBI.

“He had a heck of a game at the plate,” said his coach.

Game One

MQT 000 030 – 3

CC 400 00x – 4

Game Two

MQT 012 200 – 5

CC 151 021 – 10