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Mavericks get sweet revenge

MC wins 2nd annual U.P. Baseball title with 10-1 win over Stanton

The Marquette County Mavericks' Steve Hintsala gets congratulations from his teammates after hitting a three-run homer in the third inning of the Upper Peninsula Baseball Championship game played at the Forsyth Township Ball Field in Gwinn on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (Photo courtesy Samantha Sharp)

GWINN — The Marquette County Mavericks earned a bit of revenge from 2017’s inaugural Upper Peninsula Baseball Championship game on Sunday, bolting out to a 10-run lead before winning 10-1 over the Stanton Wildcats on Sunday at the Forsyth Township Ball Field in Gwinn.

In this matchup of playoff champions from the Marquette County-based Superiorland Baseball League and Houghton County-based Twilight League, Stanton won last year’s matchup over the Mavs 3-2 at its home field just outside Houghton.

With the nine-inning game shifting to the Mavericks’ backyard, the home team again had its way even as Stanton won a coin toss to determine the home team.

Before the teams took to the diamond, Dave Speaker Sr. threw out the ceremonial first pitch to recognize his years of managing area baseball teams that include the Negaunee Miners, Ishpeming Blue Storm and organizing the Tri-City Northstars adult baseball team in 2007.

“None of us would probably be here playing today if it wasn’t for Dave and his efforts,” Mavericks player-manager James Larsen II said.

Once the game started, the Mavs (10-2) took advantage of batting first to score twice in the top of the opening inning. Larsen led off with a single, stole second base and scored on a double by Riley Lynch, who later came home on an errant throw of his steal of third.

Larsen was hit by a pitch to lead off MCM’s three-run third. Lynch singled and Steve Hintsala followed with a three-run homer for a 5-0 lead.

The locals just about put the game out of reach with four more runs in the fifth. Hintsala, Sam Prentice and C.J. Lepisto all singled, chasing two runners home, while a two-run homer by Jake Spear completed the rally.

The Wildcats had their best chance to score in sixth, the final inning for starting pitcher Hintsala. But Hintsala got a strikeout on a 3-2 count with the bases loaded to end the threat and keep the shutout going.

Prentice hit the Mavs’ third homer of the day in the seventh to make it 10-0.

Stanton broke through in the eighth with several walks and a wild pitch as Dax Durocher scored on a close play for the final 10-1 margin.

Hintsala pitched six shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out nine. He was also 3 for 5 with a homer, three RBIs and two runs scored while at the plate.

Lynch pitched the final three innings, allowing one hit and three walks while fanning six. He was also 3 for 5 at the plate with a double, RBI and two runs scored.

Spear and Prentice had multi-hit games that each included a homer.

The Superiorland league is seeking new players for next summer. For more information, visit the league’s Facebook page or call Zac Sorelle at 458-5579 or email him at sorelle33@hotmail.com.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.

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