Tigers Robbed in 9th, Fall in 11th – Thursday Sports Wrap

Slow Pitch Softball

In Copper Country Slow Pitch Softball League play last night…
• A and S Industrial/Loukus Tech edged Bucko’s/Labatts 21-20. The score of the A and S game against Sayen’s Auto/Coca Cola was not reported.
• McGann’s/Northern Auto defeated Paul Hyrkas Construction 26-15, and then downed Auto Pro/Thermoanalytics 25-5.

Twilight League Baseball

In Copper Country Twilight League baseball tonight…
• At the Houghton baseball field, Northern Driveline faces Garnet Garage.

College Softball

The Finlandia University softball team has introduced a new recruit. Madison Stewart-Miller comes from Milliken, Colorado.

College Basketball

The Finlandia men’s basketball team has also introduced a new player. Former Negaunee standout Luke Mattson is transferring in after two seasons at Bay College.

GLIAC

Grand Valley State University has won the President’s Trophy from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The President’s Trophy is presented each year to the school whose athletic teams fare the best. The Lakers claimed 10 team titles, and easily outpointed Ashland University. Northern Michigan University placed eighth in the rankings. Michigan Tech was ninth, and Lake Superior State 12th. It should be noted that many of the league’s members offer more sports than the Upper Peninsula schools.

NBA

In NBA tournament second-round play last evening…
• The Suns buried the Nuggets 123-98. Phoenix leads that series 2-0.

Today…
• The Bucks host the Nets. Brooklyn leads that series 2-0.
• The Jazz welcome the Clippers. Utah leads that set 1-0.

NHL

In NHL tournament second-round play last night…
• The Islanders dispatched the Bruins 6-2. New York wins that series 4-2.

Tonight…
• The Golden Knights host the Avalanche. Vegas leads that series 3-2.

MLB

The Detroit Tigers lost to the Seattle Mariners 9-6 in 11 innings last night. The game was tied at three in the bottom of the ninth when Isaac Parades launched a fly ball to left field that looked like a walk-off home run, until Jake Fraley made a leaping, sno-cone catch at the wall. Each team scored in the 10th, with the Tigers just missing another walk-off opportunity when Akil Baddoo’s drive to right field hooked foul. The Mariners erupted for five runs off Daniel Norris in the top of the 11th. Detroit got two back in the bottom of the inning, but couldn’t close the gap. Jake Rogers and Robbie Grossman homered for Detroit. Starter Casey Mize gave up three runs over six innings.

The Tigers conclude that home set against the Mariners this afternoon. Tyler Alexander will start against Justus Sheffield. Coverage begins at 12:50 on 99.3 The Lift.

Detroit centerfielder Derek Hill also made a highlight-reel catch, crashing into the wall after robbing Kyle Seager of an extra-base hit. It cost him, though – Hill left the game with a sprained shoulder. Infielder Harold Castro was also scratched from the lineup before the game, with soreness in his throwing hand. Both will be evaluated today.

The Tigers also have a coaching vacancy to fill. Assistant hitting coach José Cruz, Jr. has been named the head baseball coach at Rice University.

Brett Anderson struggled, and the Milwaukee Brewers lost to the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 last night. Anderson gave up five runs over the first two innings, and left after the third. Daniel Vogelbach homered for the Crew.

The Brewers wrap up that series in Cincinnati this afternoon. Freddy Peralta will pitch against Luis Castillo.

Third baseman Travis Shaw left last night’s game after diving for a ball in the second inning. He suffered a dislocated shoulder, and will be placed on the injured list.

Fishing

The annual Rice Lake Fishing Derby will take place Sunday. It’s a family event, with fishing open from 7:00 until 4:00. $1,500 in prizes will be available for catches of northern pike and walleye. The entry fee is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for juniors and $1.00 for children. Registration will be open at the Lake Linden-Hubbell Sportsmen’s Association clubhouse Saturday evening between 6:00 and 8:00, and Sunday between 7:00 am and 1:00 pm. For more details, click here.

Our high school softball tournament coverage continues Saturday, as Hancock faces Ishpeming in the regional semifinal. Coverage from Rapid River will begin around 12:10 – or earlier, depending on the length of the first semifinal – on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com. 

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