Don Trudell keeps score on the Negaunee Oldtimers Softball bench during their game at Gwinn on Friday. The team's now full-time manager who can come in as a pinch hitter or courtesy runner has been with the team for 25 years, starting when the team originated in 1998. (Photo courtesy Roland "Foo" Koski)

GWINN — Maybe the pitching isn’t yet up to midseason form, but the infield defense certainly was as Negaunee defeated Gwinn 9-3 in the opening Oldtimers Softball game of the season in Marquette County.

Negaunee recorded its sixth straight win against Gwinn by turning four double plays, the first two started by third baseman Mike Rivord with the bases loaded after he stepped on third and made the long throw to first base.

Those DPs came in the first and second innings, with subsequent twin killings coming in the third and fifth as Negaunee improved to 15-6 all-time in these two teams’ series.

Rivord was among three Negaunee batters with two hits apiece, which for him included an RBI double in the opening inning.

Negaunee correspondent Roland “Foo” Koski reported that “with the (Gwinn) Rodeo excitement happening in back of centerfield, many more unexpected fans took time to view the softball game.”

He also said that for an early-season game, it couldn’t be too unexpected for the pitchers on both teams to combine to allow 12 runs on 22 hits with 15 walks, even though these two teams produced a 2-1 gem in Negaunee’s favor to end last summer.

Joining Rivord with two hits for Negaunee was Ron Coron and winning pitcher Dan Niemi, while Gwinn’s Steve Erickson was actually the game’s top batter with three hits. Negaunee held a 13-9 hits advantage as 10 of the visitors had at least one hit.

Negaunee opened the scoring in the first inning as Dale Luokkala singled, Coron doubled and Larry Bluse had an RBI groundout. After that, Rivord laced his RBI double and Gary Anderson hit an RBI single.

In the second, the visitors’ Reuven Romback had an RBI single, while Gwinn’s Jim Ghiardi and Loren Reetz had singles to produce a run.

In the third, Niemi and Erickson had RBI singles for their respective teams to keep Negaunee ahead 5-3.

After a scoreless fourth and fifth, the eventual winners scored four more times in the sixth as Bluse doubled and Rivord and Niemi each had singles. Gwinn got its final run on an Erickson hit that sent Joe St. Andre scampering home.

Negaunee takes the field again during the Fourth of July holiday week, hosting Marquette at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, at LaCombe Field.

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Quarter century strong

Negaunee Oldtimers manager Don Trudell is celebrating his 25th anniversary with the team as he was an original member of the team in 1998.

This 1957 graduate of Ishpeming High School was the Negaunee Oldtimers regular first baseman, then replaced Koski as player-manager several years ago and still fills in as a pinch hitter and courtesy runner when needed.

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