Jeffers pitcher Ellie Kuntze throws from the circle in the first game of a doubleheader against Gwinn Wednesday in South Range. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

SOUTH RANGE — The Jeffers Jets softball team added two more wins to their record as they swept past the visiting Gwinn Modeltowners, 13-10 and 12-11, at home Wednesday.

“The bats came alive in both games,” said Jets coach Wes Frahm. “Any time you can score double-digit runs is a good thing.”

In the opener, the two teams were knotted at one after one. The Jets then took a one-run lead in the second with Jordan Holombo and Lilah Hill both getting hits and Holombo scoring.

However, Gwinn countered with three in the top of the third to take their first lead of the game. It came in part due to a two-run home run blast by Shawna Sundholm over the the fence in left center. Myah Picket added the third run with a steal of home.

Their lead was short-lived as the Jets countered with a big five-run third inning to seal the deal. In that frame, first baseman Naomi Frahm knocked in two with a double. She then scored on a single by Ana Sudderth. Base hits by Holombo and Savannah Hendrickson also added tallies. After three the Jets now led 7-4.

They kept that lead adding two in the fifth and four more in the sixth. While the Gwinn team scored one in the fourth and five in the sixth, it wasn’t enough to catch the Jets.

Jets starter Ellie Kuntze pitched a scoreless seventh to close out the game. Kuntze earned a complete-game win striking out 13 and walking seven.

“She is just a freshman and pitched well,” said her coach. “Our bats and heads-up baserunning certainly helped as well.”

The second game of this doubleheader seemingly modeled the start of the first. The Gwinn girls jumped out to a 3-2 lead after one. Pickett led off with a walk for the Modeltowners and scored on a Sundholm double. She went on to score on a fielder’s choice and McKenna Wolfe added the third run on a wild pitch.

However, the Jets came back to tie this one in the bottom of the second thanks to KayDee Archambeau, who singled a ball to the right side. Pearl Raffaelli pinch ran for her and scored just two batters later on a misplayed ball by Gwinn. It was a 3-3 knot after two.

Gwinn took another brief lead in the third scoring one, but the Jets bounced back with three of their own. Swinging hot bats for Jeffers that inning were Naomi Frahm, Janet Mattila, Kuntze and Raffaelli. Mattila had a double, while the other girls had singles and crossed home, giving Jeffers a 6-4 lead.

The two teams tied at seven after five as the Modeltowners posted a three-run frame and the Jets countered with one tally. The sixth inning was the deciding frame as the Jets posted five runs and the Modeltowners just three.

A key double by Mattilla put Meg Rouhonen and Kylee Andrews across the plate. Also scoring that inning were Mattila on a wild pitch and Chloe Snell, who crossed on a Kuntze double. The Jeffers girls led now 12-10 with three outs to go.

While the Modeltowners tallied one in the top of the seventh, it wasn’t enough.

Mattila earned the complete-game win from the circle. She struck out seven and walked six along the way.

Despite the losses, coach Monika Sylvester of the Modeltowners was pleased with her team’s effort. In short, her girls are getting better every game despite not having a with yet on the season

“I was impressed with the team work and communication,” she stated. “We did not give up, but rather we battled.”

Up Next

The Jets will face the Houghton Gremlins at Houghton High School Monday. First pitch of this doubleheader is slated for 4 p.m.

Jeffers’ Naomi Frahm takes a lead off of second base on Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader against Gwinn Wednesday in South Range.