NEGAUNEE — Some quick rearranging and even better hitting allowed the Negaunee High School softball team to open its season with four wins over the weekend in a trip downstate.

The Miners swept Rogers City on Friday 7-1 and 11-5 before dispatching Onaway 10-0 and 20-9 on Saturday.

“We were supposed to play Alpena on Saturday, but they called Thursday saying they couldn’t because of COVID(-19) issues,” NHS coach Randy Carlson said. “So we made a few calls and arranged to play at Onaway instead.”

He said both teams have been strong representatives in MHSAA tournaments in years past, though they have young teams this year.

Josie Thompson started and won the opener of each doubleheader, while fellow Negaunee pitcher Krista Carello earned the “W” in both nightcaps, Carello coming on in relief each game.

“There were very few walks by any of the teams in these games, which surprised me with it being so early in the year,” Carlson said.

“We’re just happy to get started and it was great to play some games and get on the field after not playing at all last year.”

Against Rogers City, Thompson tossed a four-hitter, striking out nine and walking none in going the distance.

The Miners scored single runs in the first, second and fourth innings to take a 3-1 lead, then broke it open with four more in the sixth.

Thompson was 3 for 4 with an RBI, while Katelyn Lammi and Sierra Hendrickson each had two hits. Lammi hit a two-run homer in the decisive sixth, while Hendrickson also had two RBIs.

In Game 2, Carello pitched the final two innings, scattering two hits and walking none while not allowing a run as she fanned four. Larissa Anderson started for the Miners, going four innigs and giving up five runs on four hits and two walks as she also struck out four.

The home team scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 5-2 lead. Negaunee got two back in the sixth to pull within 5-4 before adding a big seven-spot in the seventh to clinch the win.

Morgan Carlson and Allie Ennett each had two hits and two RBIs, Ennett’s RBIs coming on a two-run double in the sixth that broke a 5-5 tie.

On Saturday at Onaway, Thompson had to go just two innings as she didn’t allow a hit or walk while fanning one in the opener.

Carlson was 3 for 3 with a double and four RBIs, while Ennett was 2 for 3 with two runs scored.

The game ended on an unfortunate note in the top of the third when a Miners runner slid into home plate and the Onaway catcher broke her leg on the play.

The game was called with Negaunee ahead by 10 already before the teams regrouped for the nightcap.

The Miners won a slugfest in Game 2, collecting 25 hits as Onaway’s pitcher didn’t issue a walk.

Carello pitched the final three innings, giving up two runs on five hits and no walks as she fanned five.

Negaunee broke a 2-2 tie with nine runs in the top of the second, but needed one more big inning. That came in the fourth when, leading 12-7, the Miners tacked on another five runs.

NHS’ Daylan Drew finished 4 for 5, while Samantha Richards was 3 for 5 with a double, Emma Miller was 2 for 3 with three RBIs and Grace Nardi clubbed a solo homer.

The varsity Miners are off until Friday, when they play a doubleheader at Menominee.

The Negaunee JV is scheduled to play the Superior Central varsity on Wednesday, though.

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