The Lake Linden-Hubbell softball team opened their season with three wins at the Spring Swing tournament at the Superior Dome in Marquette. Pictured is the varsity team. Back row (from left): Assistant coach Andrew Goldsworthy, Payton Goldsworthy, Ella Schneiderhan, Cleo Milkey, Jovie Daniels, Megan Sutherland, Paige Griffin, assistant coach John Jokela, and coach Curtin Kinnunen. Front row (from left): Hailey Crouch, Taylor Goldsworthy, Kyara Mills, Ashlyn Steves, and Nevaeha Halley.

MARQUETTE — Looking to build off the success they had during the 2025 season, the Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes softball team got off to a hot start during the Spring Swing tournament at the Superior Dome in Marquette.

The Lakes defeated Sault Ste. Marie, 7-6, then Charlevoix, 15-2, before holding off Menominee, 12-9, for a 3-0 record. Their junior varsity team made its debut during the tournament as well, winning their first-ever game, 11-8 over North Dickinson.

The varsity squad had an extremely long day Saturday.

“To be able to get out and play, with the winter that we’re having, was pretty nice,” said Lakes assistant coach Andrew Goldsworthy. “All our girls were really excited. The first game was 8:45 in the morning. Then we were scheduled to play the second game at 7:30 p.m. That one we didn’t play till almost nine. Then the last game of the night, we were scheduled to play at 10:45 p.m. We didn’t end up starting that game until 12:45. We didn’t get out of the dome until 2:00 a.m.”

However, the schedule did not dampen the Lakes’ spirits. It did, however, lead to some early-season mistakes, but Lake Linden found a way to fight through those issues each time they happened.

“Getting three wins felt good,” said Andrew. “We had a few errors that made some of the games closer than we wanted, but we pushed through them. The girls didn’t give up. That was the best part.

“The girls are setting goals a little higher than last year and trying to put the work in in the gym. It’s really hard, but they’re all doing it.”

In the opening game against Sault Ste. Marie, the Lakes broke the scoring seal in the bottom of the third inning.

Left fielder Ella Schneiderhan was hit with a pitch to lead off. Center fielder Ashlyn Steves followed with a ground ball to second, and suddenly the Lakes had two runners on. Shortstop Cleo Milkey followed with a triple to right field, scoring both Schneiderhan and Steves. Then Milkey came home on a ground out by catcher Taylor Goldsworthy.

Over the next two innings, the Blue Devils pulled even at 3-3, but the Lakes answered back in the fifth.

Steves drew a walk to lead off. Milkey singled to put two runners on base. Taylor Goldsworthy grounded into a fielder’s choice, but both Steves and Milkey scored. Pitcher Payton Goldsworthy then singled. Two batters later, second baseman Kyara Mills singled to center field, scoring Taylor.

Sault Ste. Marie again evened things at 6-6 in the top of the seventh.

In the bottom half of the inning, with one out, third baseman Jovie Daniels was hit by a pitch. Mills grounded out, but Daniels was moved into scoring position. Right fielder Megan Sutherland singled to right field, which brought Daniels home to give the Lakes the win.

Payton Goldsworthy earned the win in the circle, striking out 16, walking one, and collecting four hits at the plate.

Steves also reached first base four times, going 1-for-1 with three walks. Milkey had two hits, including a triple.

In their second game, the Lakes scored six times in the first inning and nine times in the second to roll to the win over Charlevoix.

Charlevoix led 1-0 after the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, Steves led off with a double. Two batters later, Taylor Goldsworthy singled to bring Steves home. Payton Goldsworthy walked, and then, while Daniels was at the plate, Taylor scored. Daniels then walked. Payton scored on a passed ball with Sutherland at the plate. She then walked, loading the bases.

Right fielder Hailey Crouch walked, forcing Daniels home. Schneiderhan grounded out, but Mills scored to make it 5-1 Lake Linden at that point. Steves walked to load the bases again before Milkey walked, which brought Sutherland home.

The Lakes extended their lead in the second. Payton Goldsworthy led off with a single. Daniels walked. Payton scored on a passed ball with Mills at the plate. Mills then singled, scoring Daniels. Sutherland walked. Two batters later, Schneiderhan singled, scoring Mills and putting Lake Linden up 9-1.

Steves singled, scoring Sutherland. Milkey then singled, scoring Schneiderhan. Taylor Goldsworthy grounded out, but Steves scored. Payton Goldsworthy doubled to center, scoring Milkey. Daniels then doubled to left fielder, scoring Payton and making it a 14-1 lead for the Lakes.

Mills followed all that up with a single, scoring Daniels.

Steves got the win in the circle, racking up four strikeouts and surrendering four hits.

Daniels and Mills had two hits and a walk each.

Against Menominee in the final game, the Lakes scored two in the first, one in the second, then broke things open with six runs in the fourth, only to see the Maroons score four in the bottom of the fifth to make things tight. However, the Lakes finished with a pair of runs in the seventh to seal the win.

The big inning for Lake Linden, which broke a 3-3 tie, started with a single by Crouch to lead off. Schneiderhan followed with a single. Steves loaded the bases with a single. Milkey was hit by a pitch, scoring Crouch. Taylor Goldsworthy was then hit by a pitch, scoring Schneiderhan. Ella Corrigan singled, scoring Milkey and Steves and suddenly the Lakes led 7-3.

Daniels singled to short, scoring Taylor. Mills then singled to center, scoring Corrigan, and putting the Lakes up 9-3.

Leading 10-8 in the top of the seventh, Taylor Goldsworthy got things started with a walk. She was thrown out trying to steal second. Two batters later, Daniels singled. Mills followed that up with a triple, scoring Daniels. Sutherland singled to bring Mills home.

Menominee got one run back in the bottom half of the inning, but that was all they could muster before the third out, ending the game.

Steves earned the win in the circle in relief, racking up five strikeouts.

At the plate, Taylor Goldsworthy had a hit and three walks. Daniels had two hits and two walks. Sutherland had a double and a single. Right fielder Nevaeha Halley had a walk and two singles.

JV wins first game

In the Lakes JV’s first-ever game, the Lakes earned a win over North Dickinson.

Naevia Daniels got the win in the circle, giving up four hits and striking out four.

Emma Kotila reached base four times with two hits and two walks.

Payton Goldsworthy went 4-for-5 with two three-run home runs.

“To build a program in Lake Linden, I don’t want to say it came from the success, but a lot of girls, I think, like what we’re doing,” said Andrew. “They’re liking the style. We have a lot of girls that have never played, and they’re coming out and trying it out, having a lot of fun, and having some success with us. So, that’s been exciting.”

Payton earns award

Payton Goldsworthy was named Spring Swing Home Run Queen.

“She does a lot of travel ball,” Andrew said. “She plays softball all year long, and that’s obvious. She knows, and I know, she still has some growing to do, but she keeps pushing towards that next level.”

Up next

The Lakes’ next game is scheduled for April 10 at Hurley, Wisconsin, weather permitting. If not, then it will be April 11 in Coleman, Wisconsin.