Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette Hancock’s Benny Keranen pitched in the second game of a doubleheader against the Houghton Gremlins on Friday in Houghton.
HOUGHTON — The Hancock Bulldogs won on Friday with strong pitching and aggressive bats. During their stay at the Houghton Diamond, they shut out cross-town rival Houghton Gremlins 6-0 and won 9-4. The Bulldogs lost just one of their four games this season against the Gremlins.
The shutout in the first game was credited to Bulldogs pitcher Bryce Hannah. He pitched a complete game with just one hit, six strikeouts, and three walks.
“Bryce pitched great.” Coach Travis Pietila said. “He threw strikes, and that’s what we need.”
Pietila added that scoring twice in the opening frame also helped.
“Usually I struggle the first time, but that wasn’t the case today.” he said.
The Bulldogs struck again as Gremlin hurler Logan Niemi added one run in the fourth inning and three runs in the fifth.
Swinging big hitters in the second and third slots of the Bulldogs’ lineup were shortstops Benny Keranen and Ned Larson. At bat, both had 3 wins and 4 losses. Their combined six hits were half of the team’s 12 hits in the opening game.
“I came to swing the bat.” said Pietila. “When you put the ball in play, good things happen.”
The good things continued at the plate and on the mound as the Bulldogs won the second game, 14-9. They jumped out to an 8-3 lead after the first frame. The Bulldogs took advantage of an errant pitch by Eli Heinualt, giving up three walks before scoring their second run. Hudson Markham pitched two innings in his place, and Joel Durocher ended the game, taking the loss.
The Gremlins scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, but their best inning was the fourth, when they scored six runs. Big bats emerged from Brycine Nettel, Latham Salmi, and Eli Heasman. However, despite the scoreboard reading 11-9, the Gremlins were unable to catch up with the Bulldogs, scoring three more points before this scoring was over.
Keranen pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts and six walks, giving the Bulldogs the win.
“Too many mistakes” Houghton coach Kevin Bostwick said in frustration. “We’re seeing too many strike threes and making significant errors in the field and on the bases. Hancock is a good team, and when you make a mistake or don’t play your best game, you pay the price.” That’s what happened today.”
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The Bulldogs welcome Ironwood to Driving Park this afternoon for a doubleheader.Meanwhile, the Gremlins will travel to Iron Mountain and are scheduled to take on the Mountaineers today at 4 p.m.
