By Journal Sports Staff

ISHPEMING — Ishpeming used a plethora of walks in the opener and extra-base power in the nightcap to sweep a high school softball doubleheader from visiting Gwinn on Monday afternoon.

The Hematites prevailed 16-0 and 18-3, both games lasting just three innings due to the 15-run rule, to improve to 9-3 overall and 2-1 in the West PAC.

Payton Manninen and Miley Phillips each allowed just a lone single in each game to earn the pitching victories.

And Manninen led the Ishpeming offense with five hits overall but 12 RBIs — six in each game.

In the opener, Manninen went all three innings on the pitching rubber and allowed only a single to Gwinn’s Hannah Eagle as she struck out six and didn’t walk any.

McKenna Wolfe was tagged with the Modeltowners’ pitching loss, going two innings while allowing three hits and 14 walks with one K.

Manninen had a pair of hits, including a double, and scored twice. Teammate Brynn Lanala doubled and had three RBIs.

In Game 2, Phillips also went three innings, allowing only a single to the Modeltowners’ Adrian Roberts. Phillips walked three and fanned four.

Roberts pitched for Gwinn, going 2 2/3 innings as she allowed 12 hits and seven walks without a K.

Gwinn scored three runs in the top of the first, mainly due to four Ishpeming errors, according to IHS head coach Ben McGuire.

The Hematites responded with two runs in the bottom of the opening inning but still trailed until adding six more in the second, ending the game with another 10 on the scoreboard in the third.

Manninen hit a pair of homers and added a triple in this contest, knocking in six runs while scoring three herself.

Ishpeming’s Kadie Kaukola slapped a triple and double, scoring three times and knocking in two, while teammate Jenna Maki had a homer and double with three RBIs and two runs scored.

The Hematites jump right back into action with a doubleheader at Westwood at 4 p.m. today and another twinbill at home against Hancock at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Gwinn is set to host Munising for a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Thursday, then entertains Iron Mountain for another double dip at 4 p.m. Friday.

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