Houghton's Lexi Burns connects for a base hit Tuesday during a game against Gwinn at Houghton High School. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — No one in attendance at Tuesday’s softball doubleheader at Houghton High School was complaining about the shortness of the games. It was another cold and windy day, not conducive to being in the field or in the stands.

The Gremlins took care of the visiting Gwinn Modeltowners 19-0 and 22-3 in a sweep. Both games ended after three innings due to the 15-run mercy rule.

In the first game, Houghton’s pitcher Ellie Hainault helped her own cause with two home runs in the first inning. She was part of an 11-run first frame. This barrage included a two-RBI triple by Paige Nettell and a double by Aanika Schlief that also scored a run.

Lexi Burns also hit an inside-the-park home run which added two runs.

The Gremlins added another eight runs in the second inning. This time, it was Delaney Salmi who slugged a two-run double to deep center field. In addition, Romi Mattson and Vera Pietila both singled and brought runs in.

After two innings of hot bats, the Gremlins had amassed 16 hits. Markham and Burns each had three hits. Burns and Hainult each had four RBIs.

Hainault earned the win from the circle by going three innings and allowing just one hit. She walked zero Modeltowners and struck out seven in her shutout win.

The second game was much the same except that both teams added three more runs apiece as the Gremlins earned a 22-3 victory.

Mattson was the winning pitcher for Houghton. She gave up three runs on one hit and three runs over three innings. She struck out four and walked five.

She also led the offensive charge in an 18-run first inning by driving in four runs on three hits. This included a pair of singles.

Contributing to this double-digit score were Salmi, who slugged a three-run triple. Schlief and Burns both had run-scoring doubles. Hitting RBI singles in the opening frame were Mattson, Katia Rudak and Josie Switzer.

In the second inning, the Gremlins added four more runs thanks to RBI doubles by Pietila, Nettell and Hainault.

In the end, the Houghton squad posted 15 hits. Mattson and Salmi led the team with four runs apiece. The two wins put the Gremlin at 10-16-1 with just a week left in the season.

In between games, the Gremlins honored their five seniors. They included: Mattson, Emmy Pietila, Burns, Markham and Salmi. All have been a joy to coach and will be dearly missed according to their coach, Mel Baker.

Up next

The Gremlins will face the Kingsford Flivvers at home on Friday, May 29, in district playoff action.