Negaunee batter Krista Carello waits for a pitch to be delivered by Ishpeming during their high school softball doubleheader played at the Ishpeming Ball Field Complex on Thursday. (Journal photo by Alexandria Bournonville)

ISHPEMING — Negaunee was able to dominate both offensively and defensively in a high school softball doubleheader at Ishpeming on Thursday, winning 17-0 and 15-0.

Each game for the Miners was filled with tons of runs, good hits and athleticism.

“We had a good day,” Negaunee head coach Randy Carlson said. “Our pitcher in the first game, Grace Nardi, had a perfect game. That doesn’t happen too often, so that was pretty neat.”

The second game was a bit more competitive, though the Miners still powered through.

Most remarkably, five runs were made at the end of the day due to hits from NHS’ Nardi, Paityn Brunette and Krista Carello.

“We’re a young team, but what I really see is a lot of growth,” Carlson said of a roster with just two seniors and one junior. “I think these kids are starting to get to know each other a lot.

“(We have) only a couple seniors (and) juniors, a lot of freshmen and sophomores. And I think … it takes a while for that chemistry because they’re not used to being together.

“They’re starting to come out of their shell and it’s starting to click.”

Ishpeming’s Ben McGuire said he is looking for progress from his Hematites.

“We’re making progress, we are,” the Ishpeming coach said. “All the schools we play right now are a lot bigger (by enrollment) than us, we’re just trying to get better and play a tough schedule and that means we’re gonna get beat sometimes … but that’s going to help us in the long run.”

Due to their lack of available outside practice, it’s been a struggle for teams like the Hematites. Keeping their morale up, the Ishpeming girls go into the rest of their season hopeful.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.