Hancock Softball, Baseball Sweep IM – Saturday Sports Wrap

Click on the highlighted scores for more game details.

High School

In high school softball yesterday…
• Hancock swept Iron Mountain 12-0 and 18-2. Sadie Biekkola struck out 10 in the opener, which ended after five innings. Brooke Koskela had three hits including a home run. Sydnie Scholie also had three hits, and Biekkola, Sofie Freeman, and Ella Storm each had two hits for the Bulldogs. The nightcap ended after four innings. Diem Kilpela struck out seven. Freeman and Scholie each had three hits, while Biekkola, Storm, and Mallory Sporalski added two hits apiece. The Bulldogs improve to 11-1.
• Calumet and Marquette split their doubleheader, with the Sentinels taking the opener 19-13, and the Copper Kings claiming the nightcap 18-14.

In softball today…
• Houghton competes at the Pulaski tournament. Coleman and Menasha high schools round out the field.

In baseball yesterday…
• Houghton v North Dickinson – no report.
• Hancock swept Iron Mountain 3-0 and 14-2. Bryce Hanner tossed a two-hitter in the opener.
• Calumet v Green Bay Southwest – no report.
• Lake Linden-Hubbell v Onaway – no report.

Today…
• Calumet plays at Gladstone.
• The Hancock-Jeffers game has been postponed to May 15th at the Driving Park.
• Lake Linden-Hubbell competes at the Hillman tourney.

In golf yesterday…
• Houghton, Calumet and Jeffers at the Norway Invitational – no report.

NHL

In opening-round NHL tournament play last evening…
• The Rangers downed the Capitals 3-1. New York leads that series 3-0.
• The Canucks edged the Predators 2-1. Vancouver takes a 2-1 lead in that series.
• The Avalanche buried the Jets 6-2. Colorado leads that set 2-1.
• The Oilers bombed the Kings 6-2. Edmonton leads that series 2-1.

Today…
• The Hurricanes visit the Islanders. Carolina leads that series 3-0.
• The Lightning host the Panthers. Florida is up 3-0 in that series.
• The Maple Leafs welcome the Bruins. Boston leads that set 2-1.
• The Golden Knights entertain the Stars. Vegas has a 2-0 lead in that series.

NBA

In opening-round NBA tournament play last night…
• The Pacers shaded the Bucks 121-118 in overtime. Indiana leads that series 2-1. Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard was limping at the end of the game, and may have injured his Achilles tendon.
• The Mavericks stopped the Clippers 101-90. Dallas takes a 2-1 lead in that set.
• The Timberwolves outscored the Suns 126-109. Minnesota leads that series 3-0.

Today…
• The Cavaliers visit the Magic. Cleveland leads that series 2-1.
• The Pelicans host the Thunder. Oklahoma City is up 2-0 in that set.
• The Heat welcome the Celtics. That series is tied 1-1.
• The Lakers entertain the Nuggets. Denver leads that set 3-0.

MLB

The Royals scored seven runs in the ninth inning to bury the Tigers 8-0 yesterday. The late meltdown by Tyler Holton and Will Vest negated a good start by Reese Olson, who gave up a run on three hits over seven innings, and struck out eight.

The Tigers host the Royals again this evening. Casey Mize will start against Brady Singer. Coverage will start at 5:45 on 99.3 The Lift.

Detroit catcher Carson Kelly missed last night’s game with a sore ribcage. He’ll be evaluated today.

Joey Ortiz singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning, as the Brewers shaded the Yankees 7-6 last night. The clutch hit came after each team had scored in the 10th to extend the game. Ortiz also homered, as did Blake Perkins.

The Brewers host the Yankees again tonight. Joe Ross will pitch against Carlos Rodón.

Milwaukee will finish the season without starter Wade Miley. Miley will need Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, which generally sidelines a pitcher for at least a year.

NFL

After trading their third round pick to move up and take Terrion Arnold Thursday, the Lions had just one selection last night. They used it to take another cornerback, Ernest Rakestraw from Missouri.

The Packers had four selections, and claimed Texas A and M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, Georgia safety Javon Bullard, USC running back MarShawn Lloyd, and Missouri linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper.

The final four rounds of the draft will play out today.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is floating the idea of an 18-game regular season. The preseason would be reduced to two games, a second bye week would likely be added, and the Super Bowl would be played the Sunday of Presidents’ Day weekend, which would give at least some fans the following Monday off.

Goodell said that his 18-game plan, which would likely feature a second bye week, would see teams play two preseason games, one fewer than the three-game preseason schedule that began in 2021.

The league is also going to allow players to use padded Guardian Caps on their helmets next season. They will be optional. The foam caps are already being used in many practice situations, and it’s hoped they can reduce concussions and other head injuries.

Local Sports Broadcasts

• Monday – Calumet Softball at Houghton – 3:45 broadcast on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf.
• Tuesday – Calumet softball at Hancock – 3:45 broadcast on the Voice of the Copper Kings, KBear 102.3.

Email sports news and scores to mornings@up.net.