Miners blanked by Lincoln-Alcona

MANCELONA - The Negaunee High School baseball team ended its playoff run much the same way it began: strong pitching.

Despite NHS starting pitcher Jake Jandron going seven innings and striking out six while walking only one, the Miners couldn't manage any run support against Lincoln-Alcona in Mancelona on Saturday, losing 3-0.

None of the runs Jandron allowed were earned.

"It really was a pitchers' dual," Negaunee manager Dave Speaker Sr. said. "And their pitcher, he was throwing strikes right away."

"Jake was too," Speaker added. "Jake kept us in the ball game the whole time. We just couldn't get the hits that we needed."

The Miner managed only four hits for the game, singles from Jandron, Zach Uren and Shawn Peterson and a double from Tyler Nault.

Lincoln-Alcona scored all three runs in the top of the second inning.

In the third, Speaker said the Miners had three runners on base but couldn't get them in. In the sixth, Negaunee stranded two runners.

"It was really a tight ball game," Speaker said. "There were opportunities.

But it seemed like everything we hit was at somebody, and everything they hit was a gapper or Texas leaguer. It was just one of those days."

Speaker said he hoped Saturday's game would serve to educate the younger players on the team as to what the high school baseball postseason is all about.

"It helps kids who are coming back next year see what it's about a little bit, and just makes it a little easier to know the competition you're going to be facing," he said.

Next season, the Miners will be without Jandron, one of three seniors who won't be returning to the lineup.

"You can't replace those guys," Speaker said of the departing seniors. "Jake's been outstanding, he's just a threat every time he's on the bases."

Peterson and Joe Bickler are the other seniors.

Speaker said it has been fun watching the team develop. He's hoping the success carries over to next year.

"We've got nine kids coming back who were on the team this year," he said. "Plus, i'm looking forward to our freshman class."