Calumet catcher Bethany Garrow heads for first base after getting a hit during a game against Menominee Saturday during the Copper Country Invite at the Gordy Schaff Field at the Hancock Driving Park. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — The Calumet Copper Kings softball team worked their way through a day of rough pitching, earning a split during their two games of the Copper Country Invite. In the opening game against the Menominee Maroons, the Copper Kings gave up 15 of 21 runs in their final two innings in a 21-11 loss in five innings. In their second game, they scored six runs of their own in the top of the seventh inning to earn a 17-16 win over the Coleman Cougars.

“If our pitchers pitch like we know they can, we’re going to be in good shape, because we’ve got a solid defense,” said Copper Kings coach Joel Rastello. “We’ve got one of the better batter lineups that we’ve had in awhile. So, we can put it together. I’m kind of looking forward to next week. We start conference games, and hopefully we can put it all together.”

In the opening game, the Maroons jumped all over Calumet starting pitcher Danni Stites, taking a 4-0 lead in the top of the first.

Calumet got three runs back in the bottom half of the inning. Catcher Bethany Garrow got things started with a leadoff walk. Shortstop Molly Erkkila followed with a walk as well. Then first baseman Chloe Coppo walked to load the bases. Left fielder Jaysa Wilks hit into a fielder’s choice, and Garrow was tagged heading for home. With the bases still loaded, second baseman Millie Loukus also hit into a fielder’s choice, and Erkkila was tagged heading for home.

With the bases still loaded, third baseman Kaydence Christopheron was hit by a pitch, which scored Coppo. Wilks scored on a passed ball, as did Loukus a few pitches later. Centerfielder Jailyn Poshak then walked, putting runners on the corners. Stites was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. However right fielder Amiina Tarnowski grounded out before Calumet to tie things up.

The Maroons got a lead off home run from Kylie Kellner to open up a two-run lead, 5-3, in the top of the second inning. They then pushed that lead to three, 6-3, in the third.

In the fourth, Menominee scored seven times to take a 13-3 lead. Calumet got a couple of runs back in the bottom half of the inning.

Poshak was hit by a pitch to start things off. Stites singled to center field. Tarnowski walked, which loaded the bases. Garrow then doubled to right field, scoring Poshak and Stites. Erkkila then flew out to center, but Tarnowski scored after tagging up, and Calumet was back within seven, 13-6.

Rastello brought Rajala in to relieve Stites to start the top of the fifth, but she could not quiet the Maroons’ bats, as they scored eight runs in the inning to lead 21-6.

Calumet had one chance to pull within nine or fewer runs before the mercy rule kicked in. They scored five of the six needed runs.

Loukus led off with a single to second base. Christopherson followed with a walk. Poshak then walked to load the bases. Loukus scored on a passed ball while Rajala at the plate. She then walked to load the bases again. Christopherson scored on a passed ball. Tarnowski grounded out, but Poshak scored on the play.

Garrow then brought Rajala home with a single to short. Erkkila reached on a dropped third strike, putting runners on the corners. Coppo hit into a fielder’s choice, but Garrow scored anyway, pulling the Copper Kings within 10, 21-11, at that point.

A Wilks strikeout ended the inning and the game.

Stites went four innings, striking out one, walking three and giving up 10 hits. Rajala pitched one inning in relief, walking five and giving up four hits in the loss.

Despite the struggles, Rastello believes in his pitching.

“In general, I like where pitching can be,” he said. “(Our) pitching can be outstanding. If we can put it all together, we’ve got a solid team. I think we got a good chance this year of going somewhere. (We) just have to put it together on the field. (It) looks good on paper, but you have to be good on the field.”

In their second game, Calumet jumped out early thanks to a Garrow leadoff walk. Three batters later, Wilks singled on a pop fly to bring her home.

Coleman responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

Poshak led off the second inning with a single to right field. Two batters later, Rajala singled to short, scoring Poshak. Two batters later, Rajala scored on a single by Garrow.

The Cougars then scored five times in the bottom of the second to take a 9-3 lead. Things stayed that way until the top of the fourth.

Rajala singled to left to spark the rally. Right fielder Cara Halonen reached on an error. Garrow then doubled to right field, scoring Rajala. Erkkila then singled to center, scoring Halonen and Garrow. Two batters later, Wilks singled to center, scoring Erkkila. Calumet trailed 9-7 at that point.

In the fifth, Poshak singled to lead off the inning. Stites then ripped a ball to deep center, and scored an inside-the-park home run, evening the game at 9-9.

Three batters later, Garrow launched a ball over the center field fence to put Calumet ahead, 10-9.

Coleman evened things in the bottom of the fifth. The Copper Kings responded in the top of the sixth.

Left fielder Elisa Laplander singled to left field. Christopherson reached on an error. Two batters later, Stites grounded out, but Laplander scored.

The Cougars answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Calumet then had their biggest inning of the day. It started with a one-out triple by Garrow. Erkkila doubled, scoring Garrow. Coppo then doubled to left, scoring Erkkila. Laplander reached on an error. Christopherson doubled to right, scoring Coppo. Poshak singled to center, scoring Laplander.

Two batters later, Rajala singled, and Christopherson and Poshak both scored, putting Calumet up 17-13.

The Cougars scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning, but an Aysha McPherson strikeout ended the threat.

Poshak went seven innings in the circle, striking out five, walking 11 and giving up 10 hits in the win.

Up next

Calumet is scheduled to travel to Houghton Monday. Opening pitch is set for 4 p.m.