Houghton’s Farrell Named WestPAC Baseball MVP – Wednesday Sports Wrap

High School

The high school baseball regional semifinals involving local teams will be played this afternoon.

In Division Three…
• Houghton faces Gladstone at 4:00 at Gladstone. Coverage will begin at 3:40 on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf.
• Beaverton plays Standish-Sterling at Standish-Sterling in the other semifinal.

In Division Four…
• Jeffers meets Norway at 5:00 Eastern Time in Ironwood.
• Johannesburg-Lewiston faces Alcona at Whittemore-Prescott in the other semifinal.

In softball, there are no local teams remaining in Division Three. Hancock will play Pickford in the Division Four Regionals in Norway on Saturday. We’ll broadcast the Bulldogs’ games on KBear 102.3.

Houghton dominated the WestPAC All-Conference Baseball Team, which was announced recently. Kade Farrell of the Gremlins was named Player of the Year, and Joe Romano was honored as Coach of the Year. Iron Mountain’s Carson McLean was named Pitcher of the Year.

Members of the First Team include Gaborik Carlson, Reed Heathman, Dylan Primeau, Dylan Horning and Nick Horning from Houghton; Dryden Nelson from Calumet; Keith Juidici from Negaunee; and Lucas Maxon and Hunter Fortner from Iron Mountain.

Second team members include Brandon Pietila, Jonah Horning, Bryce Hanner, Chad Nordstrom and Ned Larson from Hancock; Carter Kilpela from Calumet; Evan Gauthier and Nico Lukarainen from Negaunee, and Evan Haferkorn from Iron Mountain.

Honorable mention votes went to Cam Cischke of Houghton, Howard Johnson of Negaunee, Beau Kralovec or Iron Mountain, and Bruce Parisot of Calumet.

Twilight League Baseball

In Copper Country Twilight Baseball League play last night…
• Northern Driveline v Craig Heinonen Coldwell Banker – no report.
• Garnet Garage rallied for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull out a 7-5 victory over REL Mohawk Technology.

Slow Pitch Softball

In Copper Country Slow Pitch Softball League action tonight…
• At Miller Memorial Field in Laurium, Bucko’s/Labatts plays Auto Pro/Thermoanalytics at 6:15, and then takes on Downtowner Two at 7:30.
• At the Hancock Driving Park, McGann’s/Northern Auto meets Sayen’s Auto/Coca Cola at 6:15, and then faces Koppers at 7:30.

NHL

In the NHL Eastern Conference finals last night, the Lightning downed the Rangers 4-1. That series is tied 2-2, and will continue tomorrow in New York.

NBA

The NBA championship series continues tonight, as the Celtics host the Warriors. That set is tied 1-1.

MLB

Tarik Skubal turned in another strong outing, as the Tigers downed the Pirates 5-3 last night. In a game that was delayed more than two hours because of rain, Skubal gave up three runs over seven innings, and struck out nine. Detroit got doubles from Javier Báez, Jonathan Schoop, Spencer Torkelson, Willi Castro and Tucker Barnhardt.

That two-game set wraps up at Pittsburgh this afternoon. Alex Faedo will pitch against Mitch Keller. Coverage will begin at 12:15 on 99.3 The Lift.

The Tigers activated outfielder Austin Meadows before last night’s game. He had missed time because of vertigo. As expected, Detroit placed third baseman Jeimer Candelario on the injured list, with a dislocated shoulder.

The Brewers suffered their fourth straight loss last night, falling 3-2 to the Phillies. Josh Hader’s string of 40 consecutive scoreless innings ended when he gave up two solo home runs in the top of the ninth.

The Brewers host the Phillies again tonight. Adrian Houser will start against Aaron Nola.

Milwaukee has brought outfielder Hunter Renfroe back from the injured list. Pitcher Trevor Gott has been added to the list, with a groin strain.

Fishing

The Keweenaw Bay Classic Fishing Tournament will be held Saturday on Keweenaw and Huron Bays. Fishing runs from 5:00 until 3:00, with divisions for lake trout and salmon. Registration is still open, and you can sign up right through the mandatory captain’s meeting Friday at 6:00 at Meadowbrook Arena.

The tournament is part of the Baraga County Lake Trout Festival. Download a registration form, and see all that’s happening at the Festival here.

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