Calumet's Danni Stites winds from the circle during a game Monday against Houghton at the Houghton High School Field. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The Calumet Copper Kings softball team held an 11-2 lead heading into the sixth inning before racking up eight runs to put the game out reach against the Houghton Gremlins, who were trying to build off earning their first win of the season Saturday in Hancock. The Copper Kings did give up six runs in the bottom half of the sixth, but hung on to win, 19-8, at Houghton Field.

The top six hitters in Calumet’s lineup did most of the damage, as they combined for 15 of 19 total hits. Shortstop Molly Erkkila had a triple, and left fielder Bethany Garrow, first baseman Chloe Coppo, second baseman Clara Issacson, and third baseman Kaydence Christopherson all had at least one double, with Garrow racking up a pair.

“The girls are swinging the bats well,” said Calumet coach Joel Rastello. “They are aggressive at the plate, and that is good to see.”

Danni Stites had a return to form in the circle as well, going six innings, striking out six, walking four, and giving up just seven hits.

“She gets the game ball,” stated Rastello. “Anytime we can get more strikeouts than walks that is a good thing.

Calumet broke open a scoreless game in the top of the second inning. Christopherson led off with a single to left field. Centerfielder Jailyn Poshak followed with a single to right field, advancing Christopherson to third, and putting runners on the corners. Issacson flew out, but Christopherson scored after tagging up.

Stites followed with a single to center. Two batters later, Garrow popped up, but managed to reach first safely. Poshak scored on the play and the Copper Kings led 2-0 at that point. Erkkila laid down a bunt and reached safely, keeping the rally going, and loading the bases. Coppo drew a walk, which forced Stites across home plate.

In the top of the third, Calumet continued to press their advantage.

Christopherson singled to right field to lead off. Poshak walked. Issacson then doubled, bringing both runners home. Two batters later, Millie Loukus walked. Garrow then doubled to right field, bringing Issacson home. Erkkila walked, loading the bases. Coppo singled to left field, and Loukus and Garrow both scored.

That ended Romi Mattson’s start in the circle for the Gremlins. She was replaced by Ellie Hainault.

Right fielder Jaysa Wilks was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases again. Christopherson hit into a fielder’s choice and Erkkila was tagged out at home, but Christopherson reached first base, keeping the bases loaded. Coppo scored on a passed ball, and Poshak singled to short. Wilks scored on the play, and Calumet led 10-0.

The Gremlins finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth.

Catcher Lexi Burns drew a one-out walk. Delaney Salmi singled to center field. Centerfielder Emmy Pietila sacrificed to move both runners into scoring position. Burns scored on a passed ball with left fielder Paige Nettell at the plate. Nettell was hit by a pitch, putting runners on the corners. Right fielder Josie Switzer singled to center field, and Salmi scored, pulling Houghton back with eight, 10-2.

Calumet responded with a run in the top of the fifth. Erkkila led off with a triple to center field. Two batters later, Wilks sacrificed to bring Erkkila home.

In the top of the sixth, any chance the Gremlins had of catching up were squashed by Calumet’s big inning.

Issacson drew a one-out walk to get the inning started. Stites followed with a single to center field. Amiina Tarnowski walked, loading the bases. Garrow drew a walk, which scored Issacson. Erkkila followed with a single to center field, scoring Stites and Tarnowski.

Coppo doubled to center field, bringing Garrow across home plate. Wilks singled back to Hainault, and Erkkila scored to make it 16-2 Copper Kings. Coppo then scored on a passed ball. Christopherson doubled to left field, scoring Wilks. Poshak singled to center field to score Christopherson. Cara Halonen struck out and Stites lined out to end the inning with Calumet ahead 19-2.

Houghton did not go quietly. They scored six runs in the bottom half of the sixth.

Pietila and Nettell were both hit by a pitch. Switzer drew a walk to load the bases. Aanika Schlief then singled to right field, bringing Pietila and Nettell home. Switzer was caught trying to steal home. Hainault then walked, putting runners on the corners. Shortstop Kia Markham doubled to center field, scoring Hainault and Schlief.

Mattson then hit a two-run home run to center field and the Gremlins were back within 11. However, Burns and Salmi both flew out, ending the threat and the game.

Mattson got the start in the circle for the Gremlins. She struck out one, walked four, and gave up nine hits over 2 1/3 innings.

Up next

The Gremlins will welcome the Gogebic Miners to their field Wednesday, with the opening pitch set for 4 p.m. The Copper Kings will be at home on Friday against Gwinn.

Calumet’s Molly Erkkila lays down a bunt in a game Monday against Houghton at the Houghton High School Field. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)