MARQUETTE — A big inning proved decisive as the Negaunee Oldtimers softball team beat the heat and their rivals at Hurley Field in Marquette on Friday.

The visitors scored seven times in an eight-hit fourth inning on a hot, sunny day to score an 8-1 victory and take a 27-24 lead in their all-time series.

One final game is still to be played among Marquette County oldtimers teams when Gwinn hooks up with Negaunee at the latter’s LaCombe Field on Aug. 19.

Outside the big rally, the teams were locked in a pitchers’ duel with each team scoring just once. Those pitchers were winning hurler Dan Niemi and losing thrower Ed Bernard, who had relief help from Pedro Flynn.

Negaunee opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first as Dale Luokkala singled and scored on an RBI single by Mike Rivard. The 1-0 score remained that way until Negaunee’s uprising in the nightmarish — for Marquette — fourth inning.

With one out, Luokkala doubled and scored on a Larry Bluse double. After a hit batter, Terry Hill and Dan Niemi picked up RBI singles and Andy DellAngelo an RBI double to make it 5-0. Three more runners crossed the plate as Gary Anderson, Edsel Syrjala and Casey Smith stroked consecutive RBI singles to give the winners an 8-0 lead.

Flynn relieved in the fifth and held Negaunee scoreless for the rest of the way.

Marquette tried to rally in the fifth as a walk and singles by Tony Erspamer and Flynn loaded the bases. But Negaunee’s infield turned in a sharp double play to fend off the threat.

The home team avoided the shutout in the sixth when Rick Schwemin doubled and scored on a couple of miscues for the final score.

Negaunee had 11 batters picking up a hit with DellAngelo getting two. Flynn and Schwemin each collected two hits for Marquette.

Niemi pitched all seven innings to earn his win on the rubber, scattering nine hits while striking out nine and allowing just two walks.

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