Calumet catcher Isabella Coppo connects with a pitch from Hancock pitcher Sadie Biekkola during the first inning of a doubleheader Monday at the Hancock Driving Park. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — In a softball doubleheader where his team scored 16 runs over two games, and his daughter Sadie hit a three-run home run, Hancock Bulldogs coach Craig Biekkola might turn heads by saying his team’s bats were quiet. However, he was not wrong about his team’s performance in a doubleheader where the Bulldogs were the road team at the Hancock Driving Park.

The Bulldogs scored two runs in the top of the first inning, and then did not score again until the fifth inning, took a brief lead only to see it evaporate in the sixth in a 10-9 loss in the opener to the Calumet Copper Kings. In the nightcap, Hancock jumped out to a 7-0 lead after scoring five runs combined in the third and fourth innings, but then held on late to earn a 7-3 win.

“(We scored) a couple runs in the first inning, and then they score three to go ahead,” said Craig Biekkola. “And then the bats went quiet, and we just didn’t generate anything there for a few innings. Then we score a bunch. We’re up by five. I think you’re in good shape.

A couple costly errors in the field (hurt us). Unfortunately, that’s been kind of consistent for us this season, whenever we’ve made mistakes, it’s cost us, and it’s been against teams that have hit the ball, and we paid for it.”

On the other side of the field, the Copper Kings gained a lot of confidence by finding ways to come back in the opening game.

“(That was) a little bit of a barn burner there,” said Copper Kings coach Joel Rastello. “Got down early, but they didn’t quit. Came fighting back, and we were able to take a win there in the conference game.”

Calumet trailed heading into the bottom half of the sixth inning, 8-3, and they scored three runs in the half inning, then added four more in the next inning. The Copper Kings them scored three in the bottom of the seventh in the nightcap, showing that they are building confidence with each chance they get.

“Bottom of the seventh here, went out and scored three runs,” he said. “(We) had a chance to really score a bunch more. So, it’s big for confidence.”

On top of the confidence the team is building, senior pitcher Lena Myhren continues to be a big leader for Calumet in all facets of the game. In the opener, she went 3-for-4 with one RBI, and three runs scored at the plate. She also threw seven innings, striking out three, walking two, and giving up 13 hits. In the nightcap, she went 1-for-3.

“She just continues to be impressive,” said Rastello. “She’s really good. She’s just a really strong kid. She’s got home run power. She’s a really key part of this team.”

The Bulldogs got things rolling right away in the first game. Left fielder Sofie Freeman led off with a single. Third baseman Kaelyn Rouleau then singled to center field. Catcher Brooke Koskela then hit into a fielder’s choice, and reached first base, but Freeman was tagged heading for third. Sadie Biekkola then doubled to right field, scoring Rouleau. Lucy Biekkola then sacrificed to score her sister and the Bulldogs led 2-0.

In the bottom half of the inning, Shortstop Molly Erkkila drew a one-out walk. Myhren then singled to right field. Catcher Isabella Coppo drove the ball to right field and turned it into a double, scoring Erkkila and Myhren. Two batters later, Claire Ruonavaara singled to center to score Coppo and Calumet took a 3-2 lead.

Things remained there until the top of the fifth. With one out, Freeman singled to center field to start the Bulldogs’ rally. Rouleau singled to short. Brooke Koskela then doubled to center, scoring Freeman. Sadie Biekkola was intentionally walked to load the bases. Lucy Biekkola singled to left field, scoring Rouleau. Two batters later, second baseman Romey Koskela doubled to left field, scoring both Biekkolas. Center fielder Vaeda Brooks then singled to right field to score first baseman Alice Larson, who had reached first just prior to Brooks by hitting into a fielder’s choice.

Trailing 8-3, the Copper Kings dug their heels in. With one out, left fielder Bethany Garrow singled to third. Erkkila followed with a single to second, and suddenly Calumet had runners on the corners. Myhren singled to left field and Garrow scored. Isabella Coppo then grounded out to second, but Erkkila scored. First baseman Chloe Coppo then singled to right field, scoring Myhren and it was 8-6 Hancock.

The Copper Kings then rallied again in the bottom of the sixth with two outs. Second baseman Millie Loukus walked. Garrow then tripled to right field, scoring Loukus. Erkkila then reached on an error, which allowed Garrow to score and even the game at 8-8. Myhren singled, and Isabella Coppo singled as well, which scored Erkkila. Chloe Coppo then popped one up that managed to fall, and that allowed her to get to first while Myhren scored to give Calumet a two-run lead.

In the top of the seventh, Sadie Biekkola led off with a single to right field. She was able to get to third before the play came to an end due to a defensive error. Lucy Biekkola then drew a walk, giving the Bulldogs runners on the corners with no outs. Larson popped out, keeping the runners where they were. Romey Koskela then singled to short, which scored Sadie Biekkola in the process. Brooks lined out to center field, and Emily L’Esperance grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game.

“We’ve got a veteran team, and the younger girls that are playing a lot, have a lot of experience, experience with travel ball, so that’s the part that gets a little frustrating,” said Craig Biekkola. “We’re making mistakes on what should be routine plays, and we’re giving extra outs. It’s cost us a few games.”

In the second game, Lucy Biekkola was very good in the pitcher’s circle. She threw seven innings, striking out seven, giving up one walk and three hits. She also went 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.

“She’s put some work in, and I think she’s getting more confident as the season’s going along,” Craig Biekkola said. “I think her arm’s getting in a little better shape, and a little bit stronger. She’s pitched pretty well so far for us, so I’m pleased with that.”

In the top of the first, Freeman drew a lead-off walk. Rouleau laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Freeman to third after she stole second. Brooke Koskela then grounded out, but Freeman scored.

In the top of the second, Romey Koskela led off with a single to third. Brooks then singled to left field. Both runners advanced on steals, and two batters later, Diem Kilpela singled to right field to score Brooks, putting Hancock up 2-0.

With two out in the top of the third, the Bulldogs were threatening again after Sadie Biekkola singled to left field. Lucy Biekkola doubled to the center field fence to bring her older sister home. Romey Koskela then doubled to right field to score the younger Biekkola sister.

In the top of the fourth, with one out, Freeman singled to left field. Two batters later, Brooke Koskela then doubled to center field. Sadie Biekkola then stepped up and with a 3-1 count, she drove the ball over the center field fence to put her team up 7-0.

The Copper Kings had one last chance to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Chloe Coppo wasted no time, reaching on an error to lead off. Ruonavaara followed with a grounder to right field, putting runners on the corners. Loukus walked to load the bases. Three pitches into an at bat for Amiina Tarnowski, Lucy Biekkola threw a passed ball, which brought Coppo home. Two batters later, Garrow doubled, scoring Ruonavaara and Loukus. Erkkila had a chance to add to the rally, but she struck out, ending the game.

Hancock pitcher Sadie Biekkola (8) congratulates third baseman Kaeyln Rouleau (4) on a catch during the first game of a doubleheader against Calumet Monday at the Hancock Driving Park. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)