NORWAY - A stretch of seven games in six days caught up to the Norway Knights, as Negaunee claimed a doubleheader sweep 11-1 and 13-0 Thursday evening at Marion Park.
"We knew we were in trouble today pitching wise," Knights manager Tony Adams said. "We're out of gas. You play a bunch of games in several days and get an injury and pretty soon you're thin.
"I thought the kids that took the mound did their best."
Article Photos
Negaunee’s Dan Brown attempts to get back to second base while Norway’s Taylor Bonetti takes in a throw from the outfield during the opener of Thursday’s doubleheader at Marion Park in Iron Mountain. (Iron Mountain Daily News photo by Theresa Peterson)
Negaunee jumped all over the Knights in game one, scoring four runs in the first inning and five more in the second.
Zak Makela led the Miners at the plate with a 3-for-3 effort including a double a three RBIs. Tyler Jandron added two singles and one RBI, Cory Larson smacked a pair of doubles and Hunter Ridley hit a two-run single.
Hurler Tony Zampese did the rest, allowing just four hits and fanning six in the four-inning victory.
Dan Vivio, Austin Grayvold and Nick Pearman threw for Norway with Vivio being tagged for the loss.
In game two, Norway's bats were held in check by hard-throwing Dan Brown. He struck out 13 Knights, allowing just three hits.
Negaunee led just 1-0 after three, but plated six in the fourth and six more in the sixth.
Brown, Cole Francis, Larson and Dusty Goupille all singled in runs in the fourth. Jandron added a RBI hit in the sixth, and Carlson had a two-run single for the Miners.
Jake Pedrotti, Geno Maule, Billy Bourg and Riley Johnson pitched for the Knights.
Norway had chances to score early, loading the bases with two out in the first and again with one out in the third, but couldn't come through.
"Offensively, I thought we should have done more," Adams said. "When we're not hitting at the top it really snowballs. And we're just no that deep right now."
Johnson dropped a double into the left field corner in game two for Norway. John Grayvold doubled in Norway's lone run in game one.