IRON MOUNTAIN — The Ishpeming High School varsity softball team built its confidence with a road sweep of Iron Mountain on Thursday, considering these teams will meet in the first round of the West PAC tournament on Saturday morning.

The Hematites recorded 8-1 and 12-5 victories as IHS’ regular pitching tandem of Payton Manninen and Hailey Hytinen each threw complete games.

“I was very pleased with the way we hit the ball, hitting it where they weren’t, and our pitching was outstanding,” Ishpeming head coach Ben McGuire said.

The Hematites and Mountaineers face each other again in the opening round of their conference tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Hancock Driving Park. The winner meets the victor of another first-round game between Negaunee and Gwinn early that afternoon in the semifinals.

The other half of the bracket includes Westwood, Houghton, Hancock and Calumet.

On Thursday, Manninen won the opener, scattering four hits and a walk while rolling up 14 strikeouts.

As a batter, she had two singles, an RBI and scored twice. Teammate Kadie Kaukola also had two singles to chalk up two RBIs and score two, while Ella Luke added two more singles, an RBI and a run.

They produced that offense off IM hurler Ashlyn Bal, who went the distance and allowed eight runs off 11 hits with no walks as she fanned three.

Kaukola opened each of Ishpeming’s rallies. In a three-run fourth, she singled, stole second base and scored on an Olivia Corp single, while in the five-run seventh, she again singled, stole second and this time scored on Miley Phillips’ single.

In the nightcap, Hytinen allowed seven hits and three walks while chalking up six K’s. Ellison Powell was the first of three Mountaineer pitchers, going three innings as she allowed five runs on three hits and three walks with two K’s.

In all, the Hematites took advantage of 10 walks to make up for being outhit 7-5.

Corp hit a two-run double in the bottom of the first to break a 3-3 tie. Luke had two hits, two RBIs and two runs, while Hytinen drew three walks and scored three times.

IM’s Juliana Tapio had two hits and scored twice, while Mary Linsenbigler had two hits and score once.

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