L’ANSE — Ishpeming erupted for 11 runs in the fourth inning of the nightcap to pull out a high school softball doubleheader split on Tuesday.

L’Anse won the opener 8-1 before the Hematites came back for a 21-9 victory in Game 2.

Ishpeming trailed 9-4 entering the fourth in the nightcap, but by the time the fifth inning was over, the Hematites had scored enough runs to be able to invoke the 10-run mercy rule to end the day.

IHS senior Madison Pruett, who finished the day with five hits, went 3 for 4 in Game 2, hitting a double, knocking in three runs and scoring three herself while drawing two walks.

“We struggled a little bit at the plate in the first game, but we really hit the ball well in the second game,” Hematites coach Ben McGuire said.

Winning hurler Hailey Hytinen, a freshman, came on to pitch the final three innings and earn the victory, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks as she struck out one.

Starter Tia Mattila struck out six in just two innings of work, but allowed six earned runs on only one hit but six walks.

Each pitcher contributed at the plate, too. Hytinen went 2 for 2 with two RBIs and four runs scored as she drew two walks and was twice hit by pitches. Mattila was 1 for 1 officially with a double, four runs, three walks and one hit-by-pitch.

In addition, Korey Kaukola had two hits and scored four runs, Isabel Luke had two hits and three RBIs and Berkli Asgaard and Olivia Corp each had one hit but two RBIs.

L’Anse prevailed 8-1 in the opener as Hytinen went the distance on the pitching rubber, allowing nine hits and four walks while fanning four.

Pruett was 2 for 4 and scored Ishpeming’s lone run, which was knocked in by Kaukola with a sacrifice fly in the first inning.

No information was available about L’Anse.

The Hematites host Gwinn in a makeup doubleheader at 4 p.m. Thursday before taking on Superior Central at noon Saturday in an MHSAA Division 4 district tournament being played at L’Anse. The district opens with Gwinn facing the host Purple Hornets at 10 a.m. and finishes with the district championship at 2:30 p.m.

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