NEGAUNEE – Scoring early and often, the Tri-City Northstars baseball team handed visiting Channing a 15-3 mercy rule loss Sunday in Negaunee.

Scheduled to go nine innings, the contest was ended after seven.

Tri-City scored three runs in the top of the first inning on RBI-singles by Preston Hutchens, Erik Wideman and Aaron Adriano.

The local club added two markers in the second on a two-run double by Rudy Goupille, then put the game away with seven runs in the third for a 12-2 lead.

C.J. Lepisto provided the big hit with a bases-clearing triple.

James Larsen III scored three runs for the Northstars; Wideman knocked in three runs with a pair of hits; Adriano went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and two RBIs; and Lepisto added a double while finishing with four RBIs.

Hutchens went the distance on the mound for Tri-City. He allowed eight hits and two walks while striking out two.

For Channing, Lane Holsworth collected three hits and scored twice.

Information compiled by Senior Sports Writer Craig Remsburg. He can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 251.