Negaunee High School's Madysen Kontio, left, tags out Manistique High School's Abby Burnham, center left, at second base on Friday evening, May 12, 2017, at Lacombe Field in Negaunee. (Journal photo by Jess Makela)

NEGAUNEE — Hailey Fezatt and Malorie Munson put in strong performances in the pitching circle to help Negaunee sweep Manistique in a doubleheader played Friday at the Miners’ LaCombe Field.

Negaunee took the opening game 5-4 behind Fezatt’s two-hitter before Munson gave up six hits but just two runs in Negaunee’s 4-2 win in the nightcap.

“Both of our girls pitched were very well all night,” NHS coach Randy Carlson said. “They’ve both been having outstanding seasons.

“They usually pitch to contact with our good defense behind them, but we learned now that we need to start stepping it up at the plate to get more run support.”

Manistique head coach Jessica Nord said some slipups on defense overshadowed her team’s good effort.

“We got into situations where we should have gotten out of them, but they turned into a few runs that hurt us,” Nord said. “There were some mental errors, but overall it was the best performance we’ve had all season.”

A highlight came right away when Negaunee senior Kelsi Cox hit her first over-the-fence home run of her high school career in the bottom of the first inning in the opener, giving the Miners an early lead.

Cox said a homer wasn’t even on her mind when she stepped to the plate.

“I tried my hardest and watched the ball to the bat,” Cox said. “I just swung, and when I saw it go, I was really shocked.

“It was a great feeling.”

Madysen Kontio scored after doubling not long after, and three more runs in the third and fourth innings gave Fezatt a 5-1 lead she was able to protect, though Manistique came back for three runs in the fifth to make it close.

Despite the victory, Carlson wished his offense would be more prolific.

“We’re going to need to get our pitchers more of a relaxed environment,” Carlson said. “Our pitchers need to feel they don’t always need to be lights-out to be OK.”

In Game 2, the Emeralds drew first blood with Renae Schuetter and Amanda Menominee leading off the game with hits that led to two runs in the top of the first.

But a big mistake haunted the Emeralds in the bottom half of the inning. With two out and two runners on, Manistique’s centerfielder was unable to snag a towering shot by Delaney McLaughlin, allowing her to circle the bases for a three-run error that gave the Miners a 3-2 lead.

Much like Fezatt in the opener, Munson took that lead and protected it by allowing just three hits over the final six innings.

Cox tacked on an insurance run for the Miners in the fifth, while Munson struck out two batters with the tying run at the plate in the seventh to close out the win.

For the Miners, Carlson said he expects his team’s hitting to warm up as the weather does.

“We’re going to be putting in a lot more batting practice,” Carlson said. “We’ve had five games in seven days, so we haven’t seen a lot of practice time.

“Even when we could get together, the weather’s made us practice in the ice arena, so the upcoming days outside will be very important toward our success this season.”

Ray Bressette can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 251. His email address is rbressette@ miningjournal.net.