Downstate West Branch Ogemaw Heights posted a 12-2 victory in a game called in the fifth inning that ended the Miners’ season.

In the other regional semi, Gaylord edged Shepherd 8-6, while in the regional championship contest, Ogemaw Heights slid past Gaylord 2-1 to advance to today’s quarterfinals. That game will be played at Ferris State University in Big Rapids with Ogemaw Heights facing Sparta.

On Saturday, Alyse Robar took the pitching loss for Negaunee, working 4 1/3 innings and allowing 12 runs — though just eight earned — on 15 hits and two walks as she struck out three.

Natalie Pantti and Megan Marker each collected two hits, one of Marker’s a triple, for the Miners, while Rheana Nelson and Olivia Richards each had an RBI.

Negaunee junior Megan Marker swings at a pitch during the Miners’ high school softball game played against Hancock in Negaunee on May 20. (Photo courtesy of Miya Frederickson)

Negaunee scored both its runs in the top of the first inning, Richards hitting an RBI single to center field and Nelson a run-producing double.

After that, the Miners loaded the bases in the second and third innings but were unable to score in either frame.

“I thought we were pretty even with them coming into the game, looking at common opponents we had,” NHS veteran head coach Randy Carlson said. “But they just kept squaring up their bats on the ball, and it just didn’t seem like it was our day.

“I had to tip my cap to them, they were just the better team that day.”

The Falcons answered Negaunee’s early flourish with a five-spot in the bottom of the opening inning, needing just three hits as an error brought home two runs and Aubrey Evans brought in two with a triple.

Evans also hit homers in the second and fourth innings.

That helped the Falcons’ Kylee England get the pitching victory as she scattered nine hits over five innings, walking none and fanning one.

Evans finished with two hits and three RBIs, while teammate Teagen Agren also had two hits as the Falcons turned a double play without committing an error.

“I thought we had a pretty good year, only having 10, and sometimes nine, players on our roster throughout,” Carlson said about the Miners’ final record of 26-9 while moving up from MHSAA Division 3 to Division 2.

Story contents based on information received from Negaunee softball coach Randy Carlson and an email received from Negaunee softball representative Steph Robar. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.