Houghton first baseman Ellie Hainault slides in an attempt to score during a game this season against Coleman during the Copper Country Invite at the Bill Givens Field at the Hancock Driving Park. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Four different Houghton Gremlins softball players had at least two hits, in a 16-9 win in the opening game of a doubleheader, and then two players had three hits each in the nightcap, which the Gremlins also won, 16-6, at the Houghton High School field Monday.

In the first game, third baseman Thora Bier had a double, catcher Lexi Burns had a triple, and second baseman Ellie Hainault hit a home run in the contest. But, left fielder Delaney Salmi had the strongest game, going 3-of-4 with three runs scored and six RBI.

On top of all that, pitcher Romi Mattson went seven innings, striking out 11, walking nine, and giving up just five hits.

On the other side of the field, third baseman Elli Kuntze had a strong day at the plate for the Jets. She went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Pitcher Janet Mattila was good, despite the loss for the Jets. She struck out nine and walked two.

In the opening game, the Jets took an early lead, getting ahead 3-0 before the Gremlins (5-8 overall) got on the board. Houghton took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, 4-3, only to see the Jets regain the lead in the top of the fifth, 5-4. But the Gremlins closed out the game scoring 12 runs over the fifth and sixth, while holding Jeffers to just four more runs in order to hang on for the win.

Shortstop Meg Ruohonen drew a leadoff walk. Three batters later, catcher Naomi Frahm was at the plate when Ruohonen scored on a wild pitch. Frahm struck out to end the inning, but Jeffers led 1-0.

In the second inning, the Jets got right back to work offensively. First baseman Svea Johnson drew a leadoff walk. Two batters later, she got to third on a wild pitch, then she scored when Pearl Raffaelli sacrificed. Right fielder Addi Randell was hit by a pitch. Second baseman Lilah Hill then singled to second, scoring Randell.

Houghton needed a spark, and they got it from Burns. She reached on an error to lead off. Two batters later, centerfielder Emmy Pietila sacrificed to move Burns to second. Then Salmi singled to right, scoring Burns in the process.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Gremlins pulled even before pulling ahead.

First baseman Josie Switzer drew a two-out walk. Pietila then singled to right field. Salmi singled to center, scoring Switzer. Bier then reached on an error, which also scored Pietila and Salmi, putting Houghton up 4-3.

The Jets responded in the fifth. Ruohonen drew a leadoff walk. Mattila then walked. Kuntze singled to third, scoring Ruohonen. Kuntze stole second, then tried to steal third, but was caught, meanwhile, Mattila scored by stealing home, all while Frahm was at the plate.

In the bottom half of the fifth, the Gremlins had a big inning, scoring six runs. Hainault got things started quickly with an inside-the-park home run to lead off. Mattson reached on a fly ball to center field. Shortstop Kia Markham reached on an error. Burns then singled to center, scoring Mattson. Switzer then singled to center, allowing Burns to score. Houghton led 7-5 at that point.

Pietila singled to right field. Salmi reached on an error, and Switzer and Pietila scored on the play. Bier walked. Jillian Isaacson then reached on a bunt, loading the bases. Hainault, up for the second time in the inning, singled to short, scoring Salmi. The inning ended with Houghton up 10-5.

Jeffers cut the lead back to one with a strong top of the sixth.

Left fielder Kylee Andrews led off with a triple to right field. She scored on a wild pitch before Raffaelli walked. Randell singled to right field. Three batters later, Mattila reached on an error. Randell scored as did Raffaelli on the play. Then Kuntze doubled to right field, scoring Mattila.

That was as close as the Jets got, however, as the Gremlins posted another six-run inning in the bottom of the sixth.

With one out, Burns tripled to right field. She scored when Switzer reached on an error. Pietila then reached on an error. Salmi singled to center, scoring both Switzer and Pieitla. Bier doubled to right. Isaacson reached on an error, scoring Bier. Hainault then brought her Isaacson home by reaching on an error.

Mattson flew out and Markham popped out to end the inning.

In the nightcap, the Gremlins jumped out to a big lead early and then they kept scoring their way to a win.

The Jets (5-7 overall) scored first in the top of the first. Ruohonen doubled to lead off. Two batters later, Kuntze flew out to right field, but Ruohonen scored.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Gremlins jumped all over the Jets. Hainault led off with a bunt and she reached on the play. She scored on a wild pitch before Mattson drew a walk. Switzer then singled to center field. Burns doubled to left, but not until after Mattson scored.

Markham then singled to center field, scoring Burns. Pietila then singled to short to score Markham and Houghton led 5-1 at that point.

Karly Matson walked. Two batters later, Hainault tripled to center field after Pietila scored on a wild pitch. Matson scored on the triple.

Jeffers responded with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Raffaelli drew a one-out walk. Randell walked. Savannah Hendrickson grounded out, but not before Raffaelli scored. Ruohonen reached on an error, and Randell scored to make it 7-3 in favor of Houghton.

Houghton scored three runs in the bottom half of the second. Switzer led off with a single to center field. Burns walked. Three batters later, Salmi reached on an error, with Switzer and Burns scoring. Matson singled to left field, scoring Salmi.

The Jets got one run back in the third. Kuntze reached on an error. Frahm reached on a fielder’s choice. Two batters later, Andrews singled to center field. Raffaelli singled to short, scoring Frahm.

In the bottom of the third, Switzer led off with a single to third. Before the play came to an end, she had made it to third. Bier came in to run for Switzer and she later scored on a Burns sacrifice.

Markham singled to second. Pietila was hit by a pitch. Salmi then walked to load the bases. Matson grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Markham. Pietila scored on a wild pitch and the Gremlins led 13-4 at that point.

Things stayed that way into the bottom of the fourth. Mattson drew a one-out walk. She scored on a wild pitch before Switzer walked. Two batters later, Bier, who was running for Switzer, scored when Markham singled to second.

In the top of the fifth, the Jets found a way to tack on two more runs. Kuntze singled to left field with one out to start the rally. Frahm singled to center. Kuntze then scored on a wild pitch. Johnson flew out, but Frahm scored after tagging up. Houghton led 15-4 when the inning ended.

Needing one out to earn a mercy win, the Gremlins got to work. Salmi reached on an error. Matson then walked, putting runners on the corners. Salmi then scored on a wild pitch with Brooke Pietila at the plate.

Switzer went five innings to earn the win, striking out four, walking three, and surrendering six hits.

Kuntze took the loss for the Jets. She went four innings, striking out five and walking seven.