This photo collage shows Ishpeming's Abby Koski hitting and scoring a home run — actually a grand slam — in the sixth inning of the second game of a high school softball doubleheader against Westwood in National Mine on Thursday. The main photo shows Koski leaping on home plate with teammates congratulating her. In the inset photos, from left, Koski connects on a pitch from the Patriots' Taylor Jackovich with Westwood's Emersyn Nelson catching and Charlie Morrison as umpire; Koski rounds first base with base coach Beth Graham and Koski's parents Byron and Wendy cheering her; Koski rounds second base with a congratulatory slap from Pats' second baseman Elise Ketola; and Koski rounds third base with congratulations from Westwood shortstop Natalie Prophet. (Photo illustration by Daryl T. Jarvinen)

NATIONAL MINE — Ishpeming was looking to salvage a split in the second game of its high school softball doubleheader against Westwood on Thursday afternoon.

But things weren’t looking good after the Patriots erased a 2-1 deficit with four runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 5-2 lead.

Then Abby Koski struck — but not as in struck out.

Instead, she took a two-strike pitch and laced a long fly that unloaded the bases for a grand slam — and her first home run as a high school player — as the Hematites took the nightcap 7-5, according to IHS head coach Ben McGuire.

The game wasn’t over when Koski hit her slam, though. Westwood batted in the top of the seventh and put the tying run on base with nobody out.

Then the Pats tried a sacrifice bunt that winning pitcher Hailey Hytinen helped turn into a double play.

She took the bunted ball and fired to first base with Koski, the second baseman, covering, according to the Ishpeming coach. Koski then alertly threw home when the lead runner tried to score and that player was thrown out on a toss to catcher Maddy McNab.

“Wow, that was so gratifying after losing the first game the way we did,” McGuire said. “That first game was frustrating, but the second — I’m so proud of the way the kids battled back. That’s a very, very resilient bunch of kids for sure.”

In the opener that Westwood won 14-8, Ishpeming held a 7-3 lead entering the bottom of the fifth.

“Then we committed all five of our errors (that game) in those two innings,” McGuire said about the fifth and sixth when the Pats plated 11 runs.

Winning hurler Allie Radcliffe was the recipient of Ishpeming’s charity in the opener as the Westwood pitcher went the distance, allowing 11 hits and three walks while striking out five.

Payton Manninen was the hard-luck loser, going five innings and giving up 10 runs on eight hits as she fanned two and didn’t walk anyone. Hytinen came in and pitched the final inning.

Natalie Prophet and Emersyn Nelson led WHS batters in the opener with three hits apiece as Prophet hit a homer and double and knocked in three runs. Nelson had two RBIs, while teammate Taylor Jackovich had two hits.

For Ishpeming, Koski and Manninen each had three hits as Koski doubled and collected three RBIs and Manninen scored twice and had an RBI. Hytinen had two hits and scored twice.

Also rather unique for the Hematites, Emma Luke pulled off her third successful suicide squeeze bunt already this season, according to McGuire.

In the nightcap, Ishpeming established its early lead with two runs in the second for a 2-1 lead.

The grand slam was Koski’s only hit of the game, while Luke and Kadie Kaukola each had two hits.

For Westwood, Natalie Prophet was 2 for 3 with a homer and two RBIs, while her sister Alyssa Prophet was 2 for 4 with a double.

After a Friday home doubleheader against Calumet, Ishpeming (7-6) hosts Gwinn at 4 p.m. Monday. Also at 4 p.m. Monday, the Patriots play at Negaunee.

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