Penokee Range wins 9-10 district softball opener

IRONWOOD — The Penokee Rangers defeated Keweenaw Bay 19-7 in the 9-10 Little League Softball District tournament opener here Friday.

“We had a big first inning and were able to hold on,” said coach Aaron Bender. “The girls played well.”

The best-of-3 tournament continues today at noon. If Keweenaw wins, Game 3 will be Sunday. The district winner advances to the state tournament in the Detroit area.

Bender said, while there were other communities in the U.P. with 9-10-year-old softball programs, only Penokee Range and Keweenaw Bay chose to send teams to the tournament.

Sixteen district winners will advance to state, up from eight in the past, according to Bender.

The Rangers scored 13 runs on five hits in the first inning Friday. Two more came home in the second inning, followed by four more runs in the third.

Kate Borseth was 2-for-3 for PR. Nicole DiGiorgio was 1-for-1 with three runs scored. Darian Bender was 3-for-4 with an RBI double in the big first inning, and picked up the win on the mound with seven strikeouts in four innings.

9-10 Boys Baseball

It’ll be a big day of action at John Krznarich Little League Field in Ironwood today, as the 9-10-year-old baseball district tournament begins with games at noon and 4 p.m., around the girls game at 2.

The Penokee Range 9-10-year-old boys play in the 4 o’clock game.

The boys tournament continues Sunday.

11-12 Boys Baseball

Penokee Range defeated Marquette 9-6 in 11-12-year-old Little League Baseball District tournament play Friday in Marquette.

Penokee Range will play Negaunee today at noon EDT.