Morgan Robar reached double digits in strikeouts in a 9-0 opening-game victory, going all six innings on the mound, while teammate Owen Cardinal only needed 3 2/3 innings to chalk up his 10 K’s in Negaunee’s 17-2 blasting in the nightcap.

The Miners, now 3-1, had the only home games on its schedule so far postponed last week. They now travel to Escanaba for a 4 p.m. doubleheader today before going over to Manistique for another twinbill at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Negaunee gets a second chance to open at its Irontown Field at 4 p.m. next Wednesday vs. Esky.

Here are details from each game Monday:

Negaunee 9, Iron Mt. 0

Negaunee’s Morgan Robar pitches during the opening game of a high school baseball doubleheader played at Iron Mountain on Monday. (Photo courtesy Derek Cardinal)

In the opener, Robar threw his second consecutive no-hitter, but you have to go back to last May for the last one, also a no-no vs. the Mountaineers in a 10-0, five-inning, mercy-rule victory.

This time, he went all six innings, walking four as his defense didn’t commit an error.

“It was pretty cool to see Morgan so locked in on the mound, especially being his first time on the hill this season,” Miners manager Jason Siik said in emailed comments detailing the games. “We’ve worked really hard on building up our arms, considering we haven’t been able to practice on a field yet this year.

“Coaches Jere

mey Steele and Phill Halamka have done a great job getting our pitchers ready for this season. It’s pretty remarkable to throw back-to-back no-hitters against a team.

“It was fun for the entire team…. We’re extremely proud of Morgan.”

Teammates Ethan Gaston and Devin Jurmu each went 2 for 4, both also getting an RBI, scoring a run and stealing a base. The Miners’ Brayden Gleason was 1 for 2 with an RBI, walk and three steals.

Negaunee broke open a still competitive 3-0 game with a six-run fifth inning. Gleason and Cardinal each hit a two-run single, while Gaston and Jurmu both had an RBI single in the big rally.

Negaunee 17, Iron Mt. 2

In the nightcap, Cardinal also fanned 10 but only pitched 11 outs — 3 2/3 innings — as Connor Munson came on to get the final out in a game ended after four innings due to the 15-run rule.

Cardinal allowed two hits and three walks, while Munson got his out on a strikeout.

Cardinal also led his offense, going 2 for 3 with three RBIs and two runs, while Aiden Steele was 1 of 2 with an RBI, two runs, two walks and a steal. In addition, Luke “Buzzy” Carello didn’t have an official at-bat, instead drawing three walks and getting hit by a pitch as he had two RBIs and scored a run. Robar also stole two bases.

Negaunee rolled up the runs early, plating six in the first inning and nine more in the third to make it a 15-0 runaway.

In the first, a Steele single and Robar groundout each brought in a run, as did each of four IM errors.

In the third, Cardinal hit a two-run single and run-producing sacrifice fly. Between those plate appearances, Steele, Ethan Juntti, Mason Swenor and Carello each drew bases-loaded walks, while Gleason was hit by a pitch, also with the bases loaded, to bring in a run.

Negaunee showed incredible patience, taking nine walks from IM pitchers just in this game.

“We felt that we had a much better approach at the plate during the second game,” Siik said. “We were much more patient and took advantage when the opportunities presented themselves.

“Sometimes the second game of a doubleheader during the early part of (Upper Peninsula) baseball (season) can be challenging to stay warm and upbeat. The team did a great job picking each other up and being extremely positive throughout.”

Story contents based on an email received from Negaunee manager Jason Siik. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.