EAST KINGSFORD - A bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning lifted Iron Mountain North past Schaffer 3-2 in the Little League Major (age 12-under) baseball area tournament opener Friday at the East Kingsford Sports Complex.
North rallied from a 2-2 deficit, tying the contest with Tyler Halfaday's two-run double in the third inning. Riley Johnson started the frame with a double and John Nelson followed with a single to set up Halfaday.
North, which loaded the bases in the fourth inning but did not score, loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth on Jared Miller's triple, Trent Juul's fielder's choice and Alec Challancin's walk. Another walk to Trey Boyer brought in the winning run.
Article Photos
Schaffer’s Sam Hall tags out Iron Mountain North’s Tyler Halfaday in the Little League Major baseball area tournament at East Kingsford. Halfaday attempted to take third base on the play.
Theresa Peterson/Daily News Photo
Ryan Andt launched Schaffer's seven-hit attack with a solo home run in the first inning. Schaffer built a 2-0 advantage in the third after singles from Mark Korhonen, Arndt and Mike Hall.
Hunter Delak added a double in the second inning.
Both teams used four pitchers in the game. North notched five hits.
Tournament resumes today, with Norway meeting Iron County at noon and North challenging Kingsford at 2 p.m.
On Sunday, Schaffer faces Norway or Iron County in the elimination bracket at noon. The two winners from Saturday will clash at 2 p.m. Sunday to decide one berth in the district tourney.
In the Little League Minor (age 9-10) baseball tournament at Marion Park, Norway knocked off Iron County 7-2 in the opener. Iron Mountain held a 10-0 lead over Kingsford in the fifth inning before rain stopped play.
In today's games, Iron County faces the Iron Mountain-Kingsford loser at 6 p.m. and Norway meets the Iron Mountain-Kingsford winner at 8 p.m.
An elimination bracket game is slated for 5 p.m. Sunday.