When the dust settled, Negaunee earned a 7-2 victory that started with a run in the top of the first inning and continued with runs scattered throughout the rest of the game.

A big reason for the win — the pitching of Negaunee’s starter Harrison Karki, who went four innings and struck out nine.

“It’s a state contender that we met in the districts,” Duex said. “They’ve got great athletes. They’re well-coached. It’s not a surprise that they’re as good as what they are, because they put the time in, and they put the work in, and it shows.

“They played a great game. Their ace Karki had a phenomenal game. We had one chance to make a run at him, and it just didn’t go our way.”

Marquette’s Liam Duex, center, rounds third base during the first inning in the championship game played against Negaunee of the Little League baseball District 11 Minor Division tournament held Thursday at Range Town Veterans Memorial Park in South Range. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette photo by Daver Karnosky)

For Negaunee coach Joe Dost and his team, the win meant so much more than just a trip to the state tournament to be held in nearby Ishpeming starting next weekend.

For the Negaunee program, it meant a clean sweep of district titles.

“These kids have worked so hard for this since January,” he said. “We put in a ton of time. So for them to reap the rewards, it’s just awesome, really happy for (them).

“We’ve got nine first-year all-stars. So, for those kids to experience this, as well as the two or the three returners, it’s just keeping the Negaunee tradition alive. We went 4 for 4 in districts this year, our Minors, our Majors, our Juniors and our Seniors, all district champions. So, really proud of that.”

Karki was impressive on the mound, keeping Marquette from really building on its offense.

Dost loved what he saw from Karki on the mound, and is looking forward to counting on his ace at the state tournament.

“He threw strikes,” Dost said. “He pounded the zone. He forced them into uncomfortable situations. He pitched really, really well.

“Hopefully he can continue to do that in the state tournament, because the competition is going to get a little stiffer. We’re excited to go show what we can do.”

Negaunee had beaten Marquette on Tuesday to advance to the championship game. While Dost felt good about what his team was capable of, he knew Thursday’s game would not be an easy one.

“It’s definitely not, and especially, within a span of three days, it’s extremely difficult,” he said. “Hats off to Marquette. They made a ton of plays on hard-hit balls. In this tournament, there is no if-necessary game, so it ratcheted up the pressure a little bit.

“I’m really proud of the way our kids responded.”

Wyatt Dost got things going for Negaunee in the top of the first inning as he led off with a single. He stole second and third on separate pitches before a Maddox Halamka sacrifice brought him home.

Marquette starting pitcher Hayden Rundman settled in after that. He racked up two strikeouts in the first inning after Dost got on base, and then he added two more in each of the second and third innings to keep Negaunee within striking distance.

“Hayden did great,” Duex said. “He pitched a great game. We just couldn’t, when he was on the mound, get the bats going.”

Negaunee added to their lead in the third when Marquette made some defensive mistakes. After an Isaac Brancheau single, he stole second and third on the same play. With Roman Speaker at the plate, Brancheau stole home.

Looking to add more in the fourth, Chapman drew a leadoff walk. After Karki was walked, Bazil Hill sacrificed to move both runners into scoring position. Joel Daavettila was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases. Ben Pietila then drew a walk, which scored Chapman.

Landon Raikko came in for Marquette to replace Rundman on the mound with the bases still loaded. Negaunee’s Patrick Pietila then singled as Marquette’s Hunter Bradybaugh dropped the ball near third base. Karki scored on the play, putting his team up 4-0.

Marquette finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Raikko singled, stole second, stole third, and then scored on a defensive error.

Negaunee got that run back in the top of the fifth. Speaker cracked a one-out single into center field. He got to second on a passed ball and then scored when Wyatt Dost reached first on a defensive error.

Not wanting to fall any further behind, Marquette struck back in the bottom half of the inning. With Wyatt Dost pitching for Negaunee, Alex Wilson led off with a walk. Nora Anderson drew a walk of her own. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a passed ball. Even Adams walked to load the bases.

Bradybaugh hit into an infield fly, and Anderson was tagged trying for third on the play, which ended the inning. However, Wilson scored before Anderson was caught, so Marquette was back within three, 5-2, with one inning remaining.

Wanting to seal their victory, Negaunee struck twice more in the top of the sixth to put the game out of reach.

Halamka led off with a single to center field. After Karki was intentionally walked, Daavettila sacrificed to bring Halamka home. A defensive error allowed Karki to also score before Ben Pietila struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom half of the inning, all three Marquette batters went down in order to end the game.

“In the moment, couldn’t have asked for more,” Duex said about his team. “I thought they played with good sportsmanship, and did what we asked them to do, to be more competitive.

“We just have to put the time in this fall, and in the spring, and we’ll come back next year.”