MARQUETTE – Negaunee’s magical ride in the 9- and 10-year-old Little League district baseball tournament came to an end on Wednesday night.

After rallying in its first three tourney games – and winning two of them – Negaunee nearly did it again against the Ironwood area’s Penokee Range in a loser’s bracket game in Marquette.

Down 13-2 in the top of the fourth and one strike away from being eliminated due to the mercy rule, Negaunee rallied to score four runs to stay alive.

Then trailing 15-6, the local club came back to within 15-11 with five runs in the fifth before eventually falling 15-12 and being eliminated in the tourney.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the kids,” Negaunee manager Kevin Downey said.

“They never gave up.”

Easton Palomaki went 4 for 4 with a double and a triple to lead Negaunee at the plate. Teammate Gavin Saunders was 3 for 3, while Gavin Downey and Nico Lukkarinen added two hits apiece.

Craig Remsburg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 251. His email address is cremsburg@miningjournal.net.