Hancock catcher Alice Larson connects with a pitch during a game against Gwinn Tuesday at the Hancock Driving Park. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — With just two games left before the district tournament, coach Craig Biekkola’s Hancock Bulldogs are finishing up final preparations. Tuesday, they scored in double digits to earn a 16-0 win over the visiting Gwinn Modeltowners at the Hancock Driving Park.

With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 22-11 on the season. While the score was lopsided, Craig Biekkola felt that the game was valuable to his team as it gave them an opportunity to work in a lot of their depth.

“Playing against Gwinn, we wanted to get some of the younger girls in to get some playing time, get some experience,” he said. “We were able to play the younger group, let the seniors take the day off, so there was something to build on for those girls for next season.”

Considering that the Bulldogs have made deep playoff runs the last two seasons, getting as many players as much playing time as possible now could prove valuable later this week or next, depending on how things turn out.

“You never know what can happen,” Craig Biekkola said. “You hope that there’s no injury going forward, but if you do, and you have to have somebody that’s ready to go, whatever spot it is, that’s part of it. We’ve done the best we could as far as getting everybody in.”

In his mind, the district tournament starts Wednesday with a single-game matchup against Calumet, so the Hancock coach wanted to get what reps he could out of the rest of the lineup against the Modeltowners.

Pitcher Lucy Biekkola got the start in the pitcher’s circle. She went four innings, striking out nine and giving up just two hits. She also went 1-for-2 at the plate with three runs scored.

“For the most part, she got ahead in the count and that’s important,” her father said. “(The) game’s a lot easier for the pitchers when they’re ahead in the count. It gives you more options, try and pick your corners, and you can mix in some change ups and that kind of stuff.

“She’s been pretty good at that all season.”

Shortstop Kaelyn Rouleau led off with a triple to center field to lead off in the top of the first inning. Two batters later, Lucy Biekkola was hit by a pitch. Rouleau scored on a passed ball before center fielder Vaeda Brooks was also hit by a pitch. With runners on the corners, catcher Alice Larson laid down a bunt and reached first safely. Biekkola scored on the play.

Two batters later, second baseman Chloe Bastian reached on an error, which scored Brooks and Larson. Right fielder Tatum Sporalski drew a walk before left fielder Tia Pelto singled, bringing her home. Hancock led at that point, 5-0.

The Bulldogs went back to work in the top of the second.

With one out, Lucy Biekkola singled to center. Brooks reached on an error. With the ball still in play, both runners got into scoring position. Biekkola scored on a passed ball. Brooks scored on another passed ball.

Diem Kilpela then walked. Bastian singled. Sporalski was hit by a pitch, losing the bases. Kilpela scored on a passed ball. Pelto reached on an error, scoring Bastian. Rouleau also reached on an error, which scored Pelto and Sporalski.

Up 11-0, Hancock continued to keep the pressure on as third baseman Romey Koskela reached on an error, scoring Rouleau on the play.

In the third, the Bulldogs added another run.

Kilpela led off with a walk. Bastian reached on an error. Sporalski then walked to load the bases. Two batters later, Rouleau grounded into a fielder’ choice. Kilpela scored on the play.

Going into the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs needed two runs to trigger a win by mercy rule.

Lucy Biekkola led off by reaching first after being hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Larson laid down a sacrifice bunt, which scored Biekkola.

Kilpela walked. Bastian singled on a grounder to center, scoring Kilpela. Sporalski was hit by a pitch. Bastian scored on a passed ball with Pelto at the plate. Sporalski moved over to third on the same passed ball, but Pelto struck out to end the inning.

The Modeltowners got a baserunner on in the bottom of the fourth, but two straight strikeouts ended the threat.