Special to the Journal

NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee fireworks started early on Saturday as the class of 2011 hit five home runs to defeat 2000-01 16-10 and win the 2021 Negaunee Alumni Softball Tournament.

2011 needed a dramatic extra inning to get past defending champion 2005 in the semifinals, and didn’t disappoint in the championship game. ’11 took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first with a solo home run from Tom Royea, but 2000-01 didn’t make it easy. Billy Hill hit a solo homer of his own, and an RBI from Max Lenten gave ’00-01 a 2-1 lead after one.

An RBI double from Dalton Schultz tied the game at 2 apiece for 2011 in the second inning. ’11 looked to break the game open in the third with six runs in the top frame. Both Tournament MVP’s Kyle Wills and Erin Carlson had 2-RBI doubles, with Schultz and Brad Macario chiming in with runs batted in of their own.

The Negaunee  High School Class of 2011 celebrates winning the Negaunee Alumni Softball Tournament championship. (Submitted photo)

2000-01 battled right back in the bottom half of the third with a two-out rally, including a 3-run home run for Phil Dix to cut the deficit to 8-7.

The fourth inning proved to decide the game, as Royea, Wills, Macario and Barry Hopper all hit home runs for 2011 to take a 15-7 lead. The offense remained limited in the last two innings, and 2011 took home their second alumni title (2016) with a 16-10 victory.

Tournament MVPs:

Men’s: Kyle Wills (2011)

Women’s: Erin Carlson (2011)

Road to the Finals:

2000-01 (runner-up, Varsity Bracket Champions):

RD OF 32: def. 1998

RD OF 16: def. 2004

QF: def. 1985-86-87

SF: def. 1982

2011 (Champions, JV Bracket Champions):

RD OF 32: def. 2009

RD OF 16: def. 2010

QF: def. 2019

SF: def. 2005