By Journal Sports Staff

ST. IGNACE — It was all about the offense in the doubleheader between Ishpeming and St. Ignace Friday afternoon.

The two teams combined for 54 runs and split the twinbill with the Saints taking the opener 18-15 and the Hematites winning the nightcap 11-10 in four innings.

“The day went well,” Ishpeming head coach Ben McGuire said. “We’re playing really young kids at important positions and we improved a lot from our last game.”

In the first game, the Hematites got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the top of the first inning, but SI answered back with seven in its half of the frame. The game went back and forth for the rest of the game with Ishpeming eventually taking a 13-9 lead in the fifth inning, but the Saints rallied to tie the score and scored five in the bottom of the sixth to complete the win.

Madison Pruett led the Hematites offensively, going 3 for 6 with a homer and two RBI. Willow LaChapelle and Korey Kaukola had two hits apiece for Ishpeming.

In the second game, the Saints started off hot again as they were up 6-0 going into the third inning, but Ishpeming fought back as it plated four runs in the frame.

Down 7-4 going into the fourth, the Hematites caught fire as they brought home seven runs to take a four-run advantage. SI pulled within one in its half of the fourth, but a huge defensive play by the Hematites preserved the win.

On a hit to the outfield, Myah McNab gathered the ball, threw it to Pruett, who then relayed it in to Maddy McNab, who tagged out the Saints baserunner at home.

Kaukola had two hits for Ishpeming and Tia Mattila got the win in the circle, giving up three hits and 10 walks, while striking out two.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.