Penokee bounces back

IRONWOOD  - Penokee Range overcame a tough Sunday loss to win big, 12-1, over Keweenaw on Monday evening.

The Penokee Range 9-10 year-old Little League team advances to Marquette to continue District 11 play Wednesday.

Penokee Range needed the Monday win after falling 5-3 to Portage Lake Sunday, setting up Monday's elimination game.

"I'm glad they came back and didn't give up after a heartbreaking loss yesterday," Penokee coach Pat Dabb said.

Penokee tallied 13 hits and only struck out once the entire game, but the contest was a 0-0 tie heading into the third inning when Penokee scored seven runs.

"It was a slow start," Dabb said. "We were hitting the ball, but we were hitting it to them."

Penokee scored five more runs in the fourth and the game ended after four innings due to the 10-run rule.

Penokee's Cody Dabb hit a three-run triple in the fourth inning after doubling in the third inning. Dominic Croci was 2 for 3 and Sean Korpella was 2 for 2.

"Our bats is what took over the game," coach Dabb said.

Rukus Betlewski started the game and pitched into the third for Penokee Range. Cody Dabb finished the third and pitched until Croci got the final out of the game via a strikeout.

They combined for seven strikeouts, allowing just four hits and one walk.

"I'm very, very happy the way we swung the bat and pitched today," Dabb said.

Keweenaw leadoff hitter Tate Johnson tallied two hits.

Penokee 0 0 7 5 - 12 13

Keweenaw 0 0 0 1 - 1 4