HANCOCK — The Hancock Bulldogs softball team looked to build off a strong showing Monday against Westwood, where they earned a sweep. Wednesday, they hosted the Negaunee Miners, and stumbled in the opener, 9-1, before bouncing back with an 8-7 win in the nightcap at the Hancock Driving Park.

In the first game, the Miners jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, and extended that advantage to 7-0 before the Bulldogs finally got on the board in the sixth. However, two more runs by the Miners in the seventh put the game out of reach.

Pitcher Sadie Biekkola was strong both in the pitcher’s circle and at the plate for the Bulldogs. She threw seven innings, striking out six, walking six and giving up nine hits. At bat, she went 2-for-3.

Looking for a spark in the sixth, with two outs already recorded, the Bulldogs broke through when Brooke Koskela singled to center field. Sadie Biekkola followed with a single on a ground ball to right field. Romey Koskela then brought her older sister home when she reached on an error.

In the nightcap, the Bulldogs tied the game at 2-2 in the third, took a 6-5 lead in the fourth, trailed 7-6 heading into the bottom of the seventh, and then finished the game in thrilling fashion with two runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Sofie Freeman, Brooke Koskela, Kaelyn Rouleau, Mallory Sporalski, and Emily L’Esperance all collected two hits each.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the third, the Bulldogs bore down. Freeman led off with a single. Two batters later, Brooke Koskela singled. Sadie Biekkola doubled to center to bring both runners home and tie the game.

Negaunee picked up three runs in the top of the fourth.

Sporalski led off with a double to open the bottom half of the inning. L’Esperance then singled to center to bring Sporalski home. Freeman doubled to right. Two batters later, Brooke Koskela hit a three-run home run to center, and Hancock led 6-5 at that point.

The Miners evened the game in the top of the sixth. Then, A. Robar hit a home run to center in the top of the seventh to give Negaunee the lead back.

The Bulldogs had their work cut out for them in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and no one on, Rouleau singled to center field. Sporalski doubled to center field, putting the two runners into scoring position with L’Esperance coming to the plate. The first-year outfielder doubled to left field, scoring both runners to end the game.

Lucy Biekkola threw seven innings to get the win for Hancock. She struck out four, walked one, and gave up 13 hits in the game.

Up next

The Bulldogs are back at it Wednesday, when they host Gwinn at 5:30 p.m.