They were wins over a JV team, but considering how talented the program is at Negaunee, Superior Central softball head coach Rich Swajanen still felt pretty good about their 22-6 and 20-16 victories over the visiting Lady Miners on Monday. “We were happy with those wins, we hit the ball hard,” he said.
The Lady Cougars belted 13 hits in the opener, and pitcher Sammy Johnson was able to get the win in the circle; calming down to throw a solid game after giving up five runs in the first inning. On offense, Kiera McDonald had her first career home run and three hits total. Alice Hanock had three hits and Josie Hemminger was able to swat two doubles.
In game two, S-C had to overcome an early hole to get the win. Johnson got the win in relief, throwing four innings and striking out nine batters. McDonald tossed the final inning as well. On offense, Johnson had one double and two singles, Stephanie Nordness had one double and two singles, Hemminger launched a home run and also singled, Addie Frusti had three hits, Janessa Perron had two hits and Peyton Adams also singled.
On Thursday, May 9, S-C won two lopsided games at Carney Nadeau, 23-1 and 25-4.
The Cougars also won two games over visiting North Dickinson on Wednesday, May 8, 12-2 and 10-9.
In game one, Johnson got the win, throwing five innings and giving up two runs on one hit and seven strikeouts. Johnson helped her own cause with two hits and Hemminger also had two hits in the contest.
Johnson got the win in relief in game two as well, helping shut the door after the team fell behind 8-1 after two innings. Trailing 9-8 entering the bottom of the sixth, Johnson started off the inning with a solo home run to tie the game at 9-9. Alice Hancock reached base with a single and she came in to score moments later, on an RBI go-ahead single by Ruth Johnson. S-C held North Dickinson scoreless in the top of the seventh to preserve the victory. R. Johnson also had an RBI double earlier in the game. McDonald added two hits in the contest.
“That was an exciting game, Ruth had a couple of big hits and Sammy shut them down in the last couple innings,” Swajanen said.
S-C was at Norway on Tuesday, hosted Newberry on Thursday and hosts Munising on Monday.
