Bulldogs baseball sweeps Gremlins in doubleheader

The Hancock Bulldogs dominated their cross-town rivals, the Houghton Gremlins, in a doubleheader on Friday, securing a 6-0 shutout and a 9-4 victory. Pitcher Bryce Hanner led the Bulldogs to victory in the first game, allowing just one hit and striking out six. Coach Travis Pietila praised Hanner’s performance, stating, “He threw strikes, and that is what we need.”

The Bulldogs’ aggressive batting lineup, led by Benny Keranen and Ned Larson, contributed to their success at the plate. Keranen and Larson combined for six hits in the first game, helping the Bulldogs secure the win.

In the second game, the Bulldogs continued their strong performance, jumping out to an 8-3 lead in the first inning. Despite a comeback attempt by the Gremlins in the fourth inning, the Bulldogs maintained their lead and ultimately won 14-9. Keranen also shined on the mound, pitching a complete game with 12 strikeouts.

Houghton Gremlins’ coach Kevin Bostwick expressed frustration with his team’s performance, citing errors and missed opportunities as contributing factors to their loss. Bostwick acknowledged Hancock as a strong team that capitalizes on opponents’ mistakes.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will face Ironwood in a doubleheader, while the Gremlins will travel to Iron Mountain to take on the Mountaineers. Both teams will be looking to carry the momentum from this game into their upcoming matchups.