Houghton's Alex Hebert swings away during a game Tuesday against Hancock at the Driving Park in Hancock. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

HANCOCK — The Hancock Bulldogs baseball team came into Tuesday’s doubleheader with the Houghton Gremlins looking to build on a 4-0 start to the season. However, the Gremlins had other ideas, as their offense made life miserable for the Bulldogs from the beginning of both games. Houghton took both games, 11-4 and 5-4.

“We did not execute well on either side of the diamond,” said Hancock coach Luke Paul. “While our pitchers did well on the mound walking just one batter in the first game, our defense did not back them up. Our pitching philosophy is to throw strikes and make them put the ball in play, but our defense made too many errors.”

Paul took the blame for his team’s struggles.

“We didn’t come ready to play, and that’s on me as a coach to get them ready,” he said. “We hope to learn from our mistakes and see what we need to work on and continue to grow.”

Right fielder Gunner Flachs and shortstop Brody Donnelly both had a big impact on the basepaths for the Gremlins in the opener. Flachs went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Donnelly did the same.

Centerfielder Joel Durocher led off for the Gremlins in the first game, reaching on an error. He advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Flachs. Catcher Brycyn Nettell then walked, putting runners on the corners. Durocher stole home while left fielder Wesley Mattila was at the plate.

Donnelly singled, and Cael Devoge, who was running for Nettell, got to third, putting runners on the corners again. Devoge stole home, then third baseman Max Bier singled to center field, scoring Donnelly. Houghton led 3-0 at that point.

Hancock quickly responded with three runs in the bottom half of the same inning. Pitcher Connor Helminen drew a walk. Two batters later, shortstop Ben Keranen reached on an error, scoring Helminen in the process. Then second baseman Chase Keranen singled to center field. A defensive error allowed both Keranens to score before the play came to an end.

In the top of the second inning, Houghton retook the lead. Second baseman Davis Moyle reached on an error to lead off. Pitcher Rylan Issacson followed with a bunt, reaching first and putting runners on the corners. Two batters later, Flachs singled to left, scoring Moyle. Nettell then reached on an error, scoring Alex Hebert, who was running the bases for Issacson. The Gremlins led 6-3 at that point.

In the top of the third, they kept the pressure on. First baseman Tyler Jaehnig led off with a single to center field. Three batters later, Durocher singled to left, scoring Jaehnig. Flachs singled to center, but made it to second base before the play came to an end, putting two runners in scoring position.

Nettell reached on an error, which scored Durocher and Flachs. Mattila then singled to center, scoring Nettell. The Gremlins held a 10-3 advantage after the inning came to an end.

Hancock got a run back in the bottom half of the fifth. Helminen reached on an error with one out. Centerfielder Todd Kilpela then laid down a bunt and reached first. Ben Keranen followed with a bunt of his own, and the Bulldogs had the bases loaded quickly.

Chase Keranen grounded into a fielder’s choice, but Helminen scored, making it 10-4 Gremlins.

Houghton added an insurance run in the top of the sixth. Donnelly led off with a single to center field. Three batters later, Moyle reached on an error, and Donnelly scored on the play.

Issacson went six innings on the mound for Houghton. He struck out five, walked two, and gave up four hits.

Helminen got the start for Hancock, going 2 2/3 innings. He struck out three, one walk, and eight hits. Chase Keranen pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief, striking out one, and giving up two hits.

In the nightcap, the Gremlins jumped out to an early 4-1 lead, but then had to hold off a push by the Bulldogs in the fifth to earn the win.

Flachs got things going in the top of the first inning by getting a one-out single. Nettell then singled to center field. Mattila was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Devoge, who was running for Flachs, scored on a passed ball that moved the other runners up a base as well. Then Donnelly singled to right field to score Nettell and Mattila.

Bier walked. Two batters later, Donnelly scored on a wild pitch.

Hancock got a run back in the bottom half of the inning and trailed 4-1 heading into the second.

Helminen drew a leadoff walk. Ben Keranen reached on an error. Chase Keranen singled to third, and Ben scored on an error.

The game remained a three-run game for the Gremlins until the top of the fifth. Donnelly drew a one-out walk. Two batters later, Jake Mattson singled to first, and reached safely, which allowed Donnelly to score.

The Bulldogs pushed in the bottom half of the inning.

Helminen drew a leadoff walk. Kilpela also walked. Helminen scored on a wild pitch and then Ben Keranen walked in the same at bat. Chase Keranen singled to center, scoring Ben. Braydon Larson singled to left, scoring Chase and suddenly Hancock trailed 5-4.

However, Evan Pennala grounded out, Luciano Paoli drew a walk, and Isaac Wanhala grounded into a fielder’s choice, ending the threat and the inning.

Hancock had one last chance in the bottom of the sixth, and they had Helminen on the basepaths after he was hit by a pitch with one out. Unfortunately, Kilpela popped out and Ben Keranen flew out, ending the game.

Bier got the start for Houghton, going three innings, striking out three, walking four and giving up one hit. Nettell pitched an inning in relief, walking five. Donnelly threw two innings, walking one and giving up two hits.

Pennala got the start for the Bulldogs. He went just one inning, walking one and giving up three hits. Wanhala threw four innings in relief, striking out six, walking five, and giving up three hits. Kilpela pitched one inning, striking out one and surrendering two hits.