Calumet shortstop Molly Erkkila tosses her bat aside as she makes her way to first base in a game against Menominee during the Copper Country Invite at the Gordy Schaff Field at the Hancock Driving Park. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

CALUMET — Left fielder Bethany Garrow had herself a day Friday.

In the opening game of a doubleheader for the Calumet Copper Kings softball team, Garrow went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and four RBI as the Copper Kings cruised to a 19-1 win over the Gwinn Modeltowners. In the second game, she was somehow even better, going 4-for-4, hitting for the cycle, scoring four runs and batting four in as well as Calumet won, 17-2.

In the opening game, Garrow was just a double away from the cycle, getting a single, a triple, and a home run.

With the wins, the Copper Kings improved to 8-7 on the season.

In the opening game, Garrow led off the bottom of the first inning with a triple to center field. A defensive error allowed her to score before the play came to an end. Shortstop Molly Erkkila drew a walk. Two batters later, she advanced to second and then to third on two different passed balls. She then scored on a defensive error.

The Modeltowners responded with a run of their own in the top of the second inning.

Then the game fell completely apart for the visitors. Calumet racked up 17 runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Third baseman Kaydence Christopherson got things started with a leadoff walk. Pitcher Danni Stites then singled to left field. Millie Loukus singled to right field, scoring Christopherson. Amiina Tarnowski followed with a single to third, scoring Stites.

Then, Garrow stepped to the plate with two on. She hit a three-run home run over the center field fence and a 2-1 lead was now 7-1. Erkkila followed with a pop fly that appeared to be heading towards being the first out, but an error allowed her to reach first base. Chloe Coppo struck out, but reached first on a dropped third strike, putting runners on the corners.

Centerfielder Jailyn Poshak reached on an error, and both Erkkila and Coppo scored.

Right fielder Jaysa Wilks was then hit by a pitch. Christopherson stepped to the plate, and Poshak scored on an error. Stites walked. Loukus reached on an error, scoring Christopherson. Tarnowski singled to short, scoring Stites in the process. Calumet led 13-1.

Still without having suffered an out, the Copper Kings kept their foot on the gas. Garrow reached on an error, scoring Loukus. Erkkila reached on a dropped third strike, and Tarnowski scored. Coppo walked to load the bases. Poshak then hit an inside-the-park grand slam.

Stites threw three innings from the circle for the Copper Kings in the win. She struck out six, walked five, and gave up one hit.

In the nightcap, the Modeltowners jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Copper Kings answered back in the bottom half of the inning. Garrow led off with a triple. Erkkila singled to center field, scoring Garrow. Two batters later, Poshak singled to second, scoring Erkkila. Two batters later, right fielder Cara Halonen singled to left, scoring Poshak. Calumet led 3-2 at that point.

In the bottom of the second, left fielder Lila Hyrkas reached on an error. Catcher Abby Bausana reached on an error as well. Garrow then singled to center, scoring Hyrkas. Erkkila doubled to left field, scoring both Bausana and Garrow. Coppo singled to right field, scoring Erkkila.

Poshak tripled to right field, and Coppo scored. Second baseman Maddie Myhren reached on an error, scoring Poshak. Halonen singled to left. Tarnowski then grounded out, but Myhren scored.

Calumet led 10-2 when the inning ended.

In the bottom of the third, the Copper Kings scored three more runs. Garrow got things started with a one-out home run to right field. Erkkila then reached on an error. Coppo doubled to center, bringing Erkkila home. Two batters later, Myhren singled to left, scoring Coppo.

In the fourth, Calumet tacked on four more insurance runs.

Tarnowski led off with a walk. Hyrkas bunted and reached first. Bausana singled to short to load the bases. Garrow doubled to left field, scoring Tarnowski and Hyrkas. Two batters later, Coppo singled to right field, scoring Bausana and Garrow.

Poshak pitched four innings in the win for Calumet. She struck out nine, walked six, and gave up just one hit.

Up next

Calumet will be back in action Monday when they host Hancock. Opening pitch is set for 4 p.m.