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Marquette Blues clamp down for doubleheader sweep at Ishpeming in Upper Peninsula Under-19 Baseball League

ISHPEMING — After rain washed out Saturday’s schedule at the three-day Upper Peninsula Under-19 Baseball League tournament, the Marquette Blues and Ishpeming Blue Storm decided to play a doubleheader in Ishpeming on Sunday.

The Blues showed off the advantages of having a veteran squad with nearly all its players back from last year by sweeping Ishpeming 12-0 and 16-0 to improve to 5-0 less than week into the season.

Next up on Marquette’s schedule is a single game at Gladstone at 6 p.m. Tuesday. At that same time, the Marquette Reds are scheduled to host Norway-Niagara, Wisconsin, in a doubleheader, though it’s uncertain whether permission has been granted to play at Haley Memorial Field in Marquette.

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Blues 12, Ishpeming 0

Hunter Smith picked up Ishpeming’s only hit all day, a single in the third inning, as he also drew a walk during this game. Marquette didn’t commit an error all day.

The Blues’ Hogan Nemetz and Kyle Frusti combined for a one-hitter in the opener that went five innings.

Nemetz started and went three innings, also striking out five and walking one, while Frusti went the final two innings, posting blanks on the board for runs, hits, strikeouts and walks.

After scoring once in the first inning, Marquette put its stamp on the game in the second with seven more runs for an 8-0 lead. The rally included RBI singles by Nemetz, Blake Henriksen and Jakob Peterson and an RBI walk drawn by Erik Johnson.

Adding in doubles were Frusti and teammates Brock Taylor and Peter VandenAvond, while picking up a single was Eli Werner. VandenAvond finished with three runs scored and two walks, while getting both an RBI and run were Nemetz, Henriksen, Taylor, Peterson and Frusti.

In addition, Marquette stole eight bases, led by VandenAvond with three and Henriksen with two.

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Blues 16, Ishpeming 0

In the nightcap, four pitchers combined for a Marquette no-hitter, each pitcher going between 1 and 1 2/3 innings — starter Clayton Smith and relievers Brendan Kaski, Peterson and VandenAvond.

Kaski struck out four while walking two with the other three pitchers not allowing a walk. Smith had three Ks and Peterson and VandenAvond one each.

Peterson finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs as the Blues pulled off a feat similar to the opener — after scoring a run in the first inning, they tacked on nine more in the second for a 10-0 lead. Peterson led the second-inning with a triple.

Taylor added a double and RBI, while Werner singled, hit a sacrifice fly and collected an RBI. Adding two RBIs each were VandenAvond and Kaski, while singles were hit by VandenAvond, Smith, Frusti, Jon Jason and Connor Steer.

The Blues added another eight steals, two each by Nemetz, Frusti, Steer and VandenAvond.

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

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