Flames Begin Legion Tourney with Two Wins – Friday Sports Wrap

Twilight League Baseball

In Copper Country Twilight League baseball last night…
• Craig Heinonen Coldwell Banker defeated Houghton Building Supply-Stanton 8-2.

American Legion Baseball

The Copper Country Flames American Legion baseball team earned two narrow wins on the opening day of the state tournament yesterday. The Flames opened the tourney with a 2-1 victory over Clarkston. Levi Frahm and Dean Jurmu combined to toss a no-hitter. Brandon Norkol had two hits, and drove in both Copper Country runs. The Flames then edged the Menominee Red Wave 1-0. Kade Farrell threw a complete game, scattering five hits. Copper Country collected only two hits, and scored the game-winner on a walk-off sacrifice fly by Frahm in the bottom of the seventh.

The Flames will take on the host Marquette Blues today at 5:00 in a winner’s bracket game at Haley Field. The winner will proceed to the finals. The loser will get another chance in the losers’ bracket of the double elimination tournament.

College Soccer

The Finlandia University men’s soccer team has finalized its fall schedule. Of the 18 games, only four will be played at home, including the first three games of the season – Concordia Wisconsin September 1st, Crown September 4th, and Blackburn September 5th. The only other home match will be October 17th against Concordia Moorhead. See the full schedule here.

NBA

To the surprise of no one, and the delight of many, the Detroit Pistons used the first pick in last night’s NBA draft to select Oklahoma State standout Cade Cunningham. In the second round, Detroit chose Auburn forward JT Thor with the 37th pick, Michigan forward Isaiah Livers with the 42nd, and Iowa center Luka Garza with the 52nd.

Thor may not ever officially become a Piston. There are reports that Detroit traded that pick and center Mason Plumlee to the Charlotte Hornets in a move that would open salary cap space. If confirmed, Detroit would get the number 57 pick in the draft, which the Hornets used to take Florida State center Balša Koprivica.

The Houston Rockets picked Jalen Green in the second slot, and the Cleveland Cavaliers chose Evan Mobley in the third. The Milwaukee Bucks had just one pick – the 31st – and used it on G League Ignite team forward Isaiah Todd.

NHL

Luke Witkowski is back with the Detroit Red Wings. The veteran free agent from Holland, Michigan, signed a two-year contract yesterday. Witkowski played for Detroit for two seasons before joining the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s spent the past two seasons with their top farm team.

Former Michigan Tech player Juhjar Kaira has inked a two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, after six seasons with the Edmonton Oilers.

MLB

Miguel Cabrera blasted two home runs, as the Detroit Tigers downed the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 last night. Casey Mize turned in seven innings, allowing one run on four hits. José Cisnero gave up the O’s other score in the eighth on three walks and a wild pitch. Michael Fulmer struck out the side in the ninth. Cabrera now has 497 career home runs.

The Tigers host the Orioles again tonight. Tarik Skubal will start against Matt Harvey. Coverage will begin at 6:50 on 99.3 The Lift.

Tigers left-hander Ian Kroll cleared waivers after being designated for assignment, and has been sent to Toledo.

The Milwaukee Brewers pasted the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-0 last night. The Crew broke open a close game with five runs in the sixth, then added a half-dozen more over the final three frames. Manny Piña hit two home runs, and Rowdy Tellez hit one. Wily Peralta allowed two hits over six innings. Miguel Sánchez, Devin Williams and Jandel Gustave completed the shutout.

The Brewers visit the Atlanta Braves this evening. Corbin Burnes will pitch against Touki Toussaint. Newly acquired infielder Eduardo Escobar is expected to join the team tonight.

First baseman Daniel Vogelbach has been sent to Nashville for a rehab assignment. He’s recovering from a hamstring strain.

The Major League trade deadline is this afternoon at 4:00.

Youth Sports

The combined Hancock-Finlandia youth football camp scheduled for next week has been canceled. If you have questions, call the Hancock High School office.

Crush/Diamond House/Baby E’s faces Superior National Bank in the championship game of the Copper Country Women’s Fast Pitch Softball League tournament Monday. Our coverage from the Bone Yard in Lake Linden will begin at 6:15 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.

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