The Gogebic Miners’ softball team eliminated rival Ironwood 15-5 in five innings Tuesday, May 31st, in the opening round of the Division 4 District 97 tournament.

The Miners advanced to a semifinal game against Baraga in Hancock. Hancock, which beat Lake Linden-Hubbell 7-2 Tuesday, will play L’Anse in the other semifinal at noon. The winners advance to the 2:30 PM final on June 3.

“Honestly, they have a shot at winning the whole thing,” Ironwood assistant coach Dan Martinson said. “I think it was up for grabs. I think we had a shot, too. But if they play well and pitch well, I think they’ve got a shot Friday of winning everything.”

Gogebic led 8-3 after three innings on Tuesday and scored seven runs in a big fifth inning. “We hit the ball really well today,” Gogebic coach Luke Penrose said. “The girls really worked the past couple weeks in the batting cage and it showed today.”

Patience Prochnow picked up the win for the Miners. “Patience Prochnow pitched her typical great game, getting the strikes we needed and relying on our defense to get the outs,” Penrose said.

The defense stepped up. “Keira Graham had some key plays behind the plate at catcher,” Penrose said. “Our outfield trio of Rachel Nyquist, Greta Steiger and Gracie Bouvette did a great job of getting the ball into the infield. Jeanann Lake made some nice plays at third base making the tough throws to first.

Gogebic Miners' Softball Wins District Opener