The Negaunee Diamonds 17-and-under baseball team put together a commanding weekend at the Junior Wood Ducks Showcase in Sault Ste. Marie, winning a half-dozen times. In the front row from left are Waylon Harvala, Damion Jurmu, Evan Armatti, Lux Harris and Cooper Dost. Top row from left, coaches Jeremy Steele and Tony Ayotte, Aiden Cardinal, Drake Ayotte, Landon Steele, Connor Munson, Killean Ryan, Jacob Cadotte, Griffin Leece, manager Dean Leece and coach Jason Jurmu. (Photo courtesy Dean Leece)

SAULT STE. MARIE — The Negaunee Diamonds put together an impressive run at a three-day-long youth baseball tournament, winning six times from Friday through Sunday at the Junior 17-and-under Wood Ducks Showcase while showcasing timely hitting, strong pitching and top-notch defense.

The Diamonds, an American Legion 17U squad, scored at least seven runs in each of these games while also posting back-to-back-to-back shutouts.

“The offense consistently put pressure on opponents with timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and strong plate discipline,” Diamonds manager Dean Leece said in an email detailing the results. “The pitching staff combined for multiple quality starts, and the defense played clean baseball with several error-free performances.”

Here’s a rundown on the games:

Diamonds 15, Gaylord 9

Negaunee fell behind early to the Gaylord Baseball Club 17U team, but responded with a five-run second inning to take control, keyed by a two-run single by Waylon Harvala.

Griffin Leece, Drake Ayotte and Damion Jurmu also had RBI hits in the rally, while Evan Armatti put an exclamation point on the effort with a two-run homer in the fifth.

The Diamonds compiled 12 hits and drew nine walks to make a winner of pitcher Killean Ryan, who struck out five in three innings.

Diamonds 13, EUP Jrs. 0

Facing the host Eastern Upper Peninsula Jr. Wood Ducks 17U squad, Negaunee’s Connor Munson controlled things from the pitching mound, allowing three hits over four scoreless innings as he fanned three.

The Diamonds put together 13 hits, led by Landon Steele going 3 for 3 and Drake Ayotte producing three RBIs. Griffin Leece hit a bases-clearing single to drive in three runs and also had a sacrifice fly to bring another run home.

Diamonds 7, Soo Black Sox 0

Negaunee hurler Lux Harris was dominant again on the mound, shutting down this Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, 15U team as he struck out five in six scoreless innings.

Offensively, Armatti drove in three runs as Ryan, Harvala and Steele each had multiple hits. Harvala added three stolen bases.

Diamonds 16, Soo Selects 0

Aiden Cardinal set the tone in the Diamonds’ third consecutive shutout, allowing one hit in three innings as he punched out six.

Ryan and Griffin Leece each had two RBIs, with Armatti contributing multiple hits and RBIs as Negaunee also drew seven walks while the defense didn’t commit an error.

Diamonds 8, Soo Black Sox 1

This time against the Black Sox, Negaunee overcame an early deficit with a four-run fourth, highlighted by Griffin Leece’s two-run triple. Ryan tacked on a two-run double and totaled three RBIs, while Munson was strong on the mound, allowing a single run and striking out six in six innings.

Diamonds 11, Soo Selects 1

Facing the Selects again, the Diamonds jumped out with five runs in the opening inning when Harris, Armatti, Griffin Leece and Jurmu each had run-scoring hits.

Ryan was outstanding again, giving up just one run while striking out seven in five innings.

Harvala finished with three of Negaunee’s 13 hits as Griffin Leece and Armatti each drove in three.

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