The Marquette squad took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning of this winner’s bracket game, but it was short lived. Five of Negaunee’s six runs came in the second, and that would prove to be all that Marquette’s neighbor up the hill needed.

“The kids were not up there looking to walk in that frame nor throughout the game,” said Negaunee coach Joe Dost. “They came to swing the bat, knowing that, if they put the ball in play, good things would happen.”

The coach added that his batters were putting into practice what he and his staff have been preaching leading up to the tourney.

“This was a hard-fought team victory,” he said. “Everyone contributed in the lineup from player 1 to 12. We had strong pitching in Harrison Karki, timely hitting and clutch defense. What more can you ask for?”

Negaunee pitcher Wyatt Dost, right, and catcher Maddox Halamaka compare notes in a game on Tuesday against Marquette during a Little League baseball District 11 Minors Division tournament game in South Range. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette photo by Eddie O’Neill)

The second inning saw hits by second baseman Joel Daavetilla and outfielder Isaac Brancheau. Both scored on outfielder Patrick Pietila’s double, and later, he scored as well. Joining him in touching home plate was Bazil Hill and Ben Pietila.

Some misplayed balls contributed to the hit parade as did aggressive baserunning on Negaunee’s part.

“We want to be aggressive at the plate and on the bases as that’s what wins ball games,” Dost said.

Negaunee added another run in the third, taking a 6-1 lead.

Marquette then added three in the top of the sixth. The rally started with walks to Ollie Bray and

Owen Chapman, which led to them scoring courtesy of Calvin Franti’s RBI single to left. Franti then scored on a Liam Duex base rap before the final out was made on a strikeout.

Marquette coach Pete Duex gave credit to a well-coached Negaunee squad.

“First and foremost, Negaunee is an excellent team,” he said. “They work hard, and are at it all year, and it shows. Credit goes to them.

“However, I must say that I am equally proud of my kids as they gave it their all in a well-played team.”

Marquette could get another shot at Negaunee, but would have had to defeat Portage Lake on Wednesday evening.

Either way, Negaunee will face the Marquette-PL winner at 6 p.m. today.

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