CALUMET — After trailing 5-0 to the Calumet Copper Kings in the opening game of a doubleheader, the Hancock Bulldogs softball team scored seven runs over the final four innings to earn a 7-6 win. In the nightcap, the Bulldogs scored six runs in the second inning to earn a 7-2 lead. They then held the Copper Kings to just two more runs in the contest to earn an 8-4 win.

In the first game, the two teams battled through 2 1/2 innings of scoreless softball until the Copper Kings got things started with a Jaysa Wilks single to left field. Bethany Garrow followed by hitting into a fielder’s choice. Riley Johnson singled to right field. Before the play came to an end, a defensive error allowed to Garrow to score and Johnson to get to third. Lena Myhren then reached on an error. Isabella Coppo singled to center field, and Chloe Coppo walked, which loaded the bases.

After Myhren scored on a passed ball, Molly Erkkila singled to right field, and a defensive error on the play allowed both Bella and Chloe Coppo to score, pushing Calumet’s lead to 5-0.

Hancock finally answered in the fifth inning. Sofie Freeman singled with one out to get things started. Brooke Koskela then singled to right field, which drove in Freeman. Sadie Biekkola then grounded out, but Koskela scored on an error.

Calumet led 5-2 in the seventh when Mallory Sporalski doubled to left field to lead off for the Bulldogs. Alice Larson singled, putting runners on the corners. Freeman singled to center, which scored Sporalski. Koskela then singled to center, knocking in Larson and advancing Freeman to third, which cut the lead down to one, 5-4.

Biekkola then grounded into a fielder’s choice, but reached on an error. Freeman and Koskela both scored on that error, giving Hancock a slim, one-run advantage at 6-5.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Isaella Coppo doubled to left with one out. Chloe Coppo then walked. Molly Erkkila grounded into a fielder’s choice, but she made it to first base, loading things up before Kaydence Christopherson got to the plate. She hit a sacrifice fly, which scored Isabella Coppo.

Hancock got out of the inning without any more damage. In the top of the eighth, Sporalski hit a pop fly to lead off, but a defensive error allowed her to reach first. Larson then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Sporalski to second, and she also reached first safely. Freeman followed with a single to center, which scored Sporalski and gave Hancock back the lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Calumet had Johnson on first after a single to right field, but a strikeout by Myhren and a groundout by Isabella Coppo ended the game.

Biekkola went eight innings, striking out seven, walking four and scattering six hits to earn the win for the Bulldogs in the pitcher’s circle.

Myhren took the loss, striking out five and giving up 10 hits in seven innings.

In the second game, Garrow was hit by a pitch to lead off. Two batters later, Myhren doubled to right field, scoring Garrow.

Hancock tied things up in the bottom half of the inning. Freeman opened with a walk. After Koskela sacrificed to move her to third, Freeman scored on a sacrifice fly by Biekkola.

Calumet answered back in the top of the second as Molly Erkkila reached on an error to start the inning. Christopherson sacrificed to center field to bring her home.

The Bulldogs’ bats came alive in the bottom half of the inning. Sydnie Scholie walked to lead off. She scored two batters later on a passed ball with Kaelyn Rouleau at the plate. Megan Pelto walked in between Scholie and Rouleau’s at bats, and Rouleau followed with a walk of her own. Two batters later, Freeman singled to center and Pelto scored. After Koskela reached on a fielder’s choice that moved both Diem Kilpela, who reached on a defensive error, and Freeman into scoring position, Rouleau was thrown out trying to score.

With the bases loaded, Biekkola drew a walk, which brought Kilpela home. Ella Storm then hit a ground ball and reached first on an error. Before the play ended, both Koekla and Biekkola scored to put Hancock up 7-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, Hancock threatened again after Storm walked to lead off. Scholie followed with a single to center field. Two batters later, Rouleau laid down a sacrifice bunt, which brought Storm home.

Calumet got one back the next inning. Audrey Erkkila got things started with a single. Two batters later, Garrow brought her home with a single to center. Garrow then scored while Johnson was at the plate, making the score 8-4. That was as close as the Copper Kings could get.

Biekkola again got the win in the pitcher’s circle, striking out seven and walking one. She did give up nine hits over seven innings.

Audrey Erkkila took the loss for the Copper Kings, going two innings, giving up five walks and one hit. Kaylee Newsom came in to relieve her, and she went four innings, striking out two and walking one while giving up just two hits.

UP NEXT

Calumet was back in action Tuesday at home against Negaunee. They will next be in action Thursday when they host Iron Mountain.

Hancock hits the road Thursday to face Ishpeming, the team ahead of them in the most recent MHSSCA Division 4 rankings. The Hematites are ranked ninth, while the Bulldogs are 10th.