NEGAUNEE — On a beautiful Monday night at Irontown Field, Coldwell Banker Craig Heinonen put on a nice showcase on the diamond.

CBCH picked up four runs in the first inning and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 7-2 win over the Negaunee Blasters in Superiorland League play. Marquette alum Erik Johnson got the win on the mound for CBCH.

CBCH got its first two runs thanks to a Negaunee error and a dropped third strike that rolled to the backstop. Shane Johnston then followed with the big hit of the game as he cranked a two-run double to put CBCH up 4-0 going into the second inning.

After Negaunee couldn’t put across a run with the bases loaded in the top of the second, CBCH plated two more runs thanks to some more Negaunee mistakes. First, Kirby Frantti drew a walk and then Johnson reached base on a fielding error. Frantti then scored on a balk by Blasters pitcher Jake Smith.

After Gavin Locke smacked a base hit to move up Johnson to third, the hurler then scored on a passed ball to pad CBCH’s advantage to 6-0.

CBCH got its final run in the third inning from Gabe Daavettila. He drew a walk and then moved to second on a passed ball.

After advancing to third on a fielder’s choice by Johnston, Daavettila scored on another passed ball to make the score 7-0.

The Blasters wouldn’t give up though as they got on the scoreboard on a bizarre play in the fifth frame. Earlier in the inning, Jaren Kipling was hit by a pitch and went on to steal both second and third base. With two outs, CBCH had a dropped third strike, which appeared to score Kipling, but Tylor Robinson was then tagged out. After a brief discussion, it was determined that Kipling scored before Robinson was tagged and the run counted.

Trailing 7-1 now in the sixth, Negaunee finally got some offense going. Keith Juidici led off with a walk and later stole second. With two outs, Brian Esquada smacked an infield single and Juidici scored. Mike Wallentin then hit a single of his own to give the Blasters two base runners with two outs, but one run was all they could manage.

CBCH will take on the Marquette County Mavericks next Monday in Gwinn, while the Blasters travel to Channing to face the Railroaders.

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.