Hancock pitcher Lucy Biekkola runs towards first base after laying down a bunt during a Division 4 Region 25 semifinal game against Norway Saturday at the Boneyard in Lake Linden. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

LAKE LINDEN — The Hancock Bulldogs held a 1-0 lead in their Division 4 Region 25 semifinal game against the Norway Knights before they fell behind 4-1. With one out left, they pulled within a run at 4-3, but they could not get one more before the final out was recorded Saturday at the Boneyard.

In the Bulldogs’ game, Hancock got the start they wanted, but could not hold it.

“Yeah, we scored the first run,” said coach Craig Biekkola. “That’s good. That builds momentum. They had that one inning where we gave them a couple extra outs and you can’t do that against quality teams.”

Yet, Hancock had a chance in the top of the seventh inning with two outs.

It all started with a shortstop Kaelyn Rouleau walk. Pitcher Lucy Biekkola then drove the ball to left field, giving the Bulldogs two baserunners. They both advanced on a wild pitch to get into scoring position.

First baseman Diem Kilpela stepped in and dropped a ball in left field that should have been a single, however, she managed to turn it into a double. Both baserunners scored, and suddenly the Bulldogs had the tying run two bases away. Catcher Alice Larson stepped to the plate and fouled off the first pitch she saw. She took the second pitch for a strike, then the next for a ball. She fouled off another pitch from the Knights’ Kendall Burklund before watching a third strike to end the inning at the game.

Hancock never felt like it was out of the game, even with three outs remaining.

“We played them earlier in the season. We were down four runs going into the bottom of the seventh, and we found a way to win that game,” said Craig Biekkola. “So they knew that we’ve been in that spot before. It wasn’t anything new, and all we needed to do was get a couple of base runners on that put some pressure on the defense, and obviously it happened.

“We just needed another run and we fell short today.”

The Bulldogs struck first in the top of the second inning.

Third baseman Emery Chynoweth led off with a line drive past second base. Two batters later, second baseman Chloe Bastian struck out, Chynoweth tried for second. On her way there, the throw beat her to the base, but second baseman Kara Stanchina could not control the ball, and Chynoweth was called safe. As the ball moved into the outfield, she got up and continued running until she crossed home plate.

The game remained 1-0 until the bottom of the third, when Norway found some momentum.

It all started with a fly ball hit by Tessa Castelaz, which was misplayed by right fielder Jana Pietila. Castelaz got to second before the play came to an end. Two batters later, Stanchina doubled to left field, scoring Castelaz. Stanchina was replaced on the basepaths by Aubree Lapine, who moved to third on a sacrifice by Kendall Burklund. Jordyn Moln walked. Addyson Burkland then doubled to right field, scoring Lapine.

Payton Paquette doubled to center, scoring Moln and Addyson Burklund, and the Knights led 4-1 at that point.

Hancock did not unravel. They had beaten and tied the Knights earlier in the season, so they leaned on that confidence throughout the rest of the game. Lucy Biekkola was a great example of that. She finished with 12 strikeouts and one walk over six innings of work. Her father was proud of the way she bounced back from the tough inning.

“She’s battled all season,” he said. “We had to rely on her to carry 99% of the load with pitching this year. She performed well. She handled things as well as possible. She grew a lot this year. She threw a lot of innings for us last year, it showed, and then, obviously, a huge step this season for her.”

At the plate, Biekkola was also good, going 2-of-3 with a run scored. She was the only Bulldogs batter with multiple hits.

Senior leaders

Chynoweth went 1-for-3 with a run scored, and Larson went 0-for-4. Chynoweth only joined the Bulldogs this season because of Larson, who is a very close friend. Craig Biekkola could not say enough about how well the pair led the Bulldogs this season.

“They’re top notch leaders,” he said. “They’re fine athletes in multiple sports. They’ve had playoff experience, so they knew how to lead this team in tough ball games.

“More importantly, those are two great young women. There’s nothing that can stop them with whatever they want to do as they move into their adulthood.”

From zeros to heroes

At one point prior to the season, the Bulldogs only had eight roster players. They found a ninth when Chynoweth joined, and added one more later to get to 10.

While injuries took a toll, Hancock found a way to get through the season and earn a district title.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the effort and the resiliency that they showed over the season,” Craig Biekkola said. “Obviously low on numbers, we had some injuries along the way that we battled through.

“The girls improved so much over the course of the season. I couldn’t be more proud of their efforts and their willingness to come out every day and learn and get better.”

L’Anse falls

In the other semifinal, the L’Anse Purple Hornets pulled even at 7-7, but they found themselves behind 13-7 with three outs to go. They pulled back within four at 13-9, but could not get any closer, falling to the Superior Central Cougars.

The Purple Hornets scored first, but a six-run second inning by the Cougars made life difficult. A four-run fifth inning allowed L’Anse to battle back to even the score, but Superior Central scored three of their own in the bottom half to regain the lead, which they extended before the top of the seventh.

Third baseman Sylvia Allen scored twice for L’Anse in the game. As did centerfielder Tessa Thor and pitcher Kenzie Bianco.

Knights advance

The Knights defeated the Cougars in the regional championship game, 11-0. They advance to face Hillman, who defeated Onaway, 7-1. The game will be played in Cedarville Tuesday.

L’Anse pitcher Kwynn Voskuhl extends to deliver a pitch during a Division 4 Region 25 semifinal game against Superior Central Saturday at the Boneyard in Lake Linden. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)